A baby died. Three young kids, hospitalized. And, allegedly, it all happened in the name of health.
An Arizona couple is facing possible prison time after their parenting practices, shaped by online misinformation about medical care and nutrition, left their 5-month-old child dead and three other children suffering from chronic malnutrition, police and court records show. The couple allegedly adhered to a dangerous and debunked eating regime − called the alkaline diet − which they imposed on their kids.
The tragic ordeal points to a growing problem: medical misinformation. According to a 2024 poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, most Americans encounter false health information online, and many are unsure whether it is accurate. Nearly 70% of doctors polled said they think patient trust declined from 2020 to 2022, but only 21% of Americans said the same, according to a 2023 poll.
Experts previously told USA TODAY it's all the more crucial people understand how to distinguish fact from fiction, especially when it comes to their health. More than ever, people should also make sure their health protocols and diets are not clouded by politics or ideology as doing so can help prevent worst-case-scenario outcomes like this one.
