Health News in India: Sorting Evidence from Hype
Health misinformation is not a fringe problem in India — it is a mainstream media problem. During the COVID-19 pandemic, major Indian news outlets promoted unverified treatments, amplified claims about miracle cures, and gave platforms to individuals making medical claims without scientific backing. The pandemic exposed what public health researchers had known for years: Indian health journalism prioritises sensationalism over evidence, and the consequences are measured in lives.
The structural issue is that most Indian newsrooms do not employ specialist health reporters. General assignment journalists cover health stories the same way they cover politics — by finding two opposing voices and presenting them as equally valid. But in medicine, a peer-reviewed clinical trial and an anecdotal claim from a social media influencer are not equivalent perspectives. This false equivalence gives fringe health claims a legitimacy they do not deserve.
The Wellness Industry's Media Influence
India's wellness industry — including Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, and the booming supplements market — spends heavily on media advertising. This creates coverage conflicts similar to those in business journalism. Outlets running full-page advertisements for immunity boosters and herbal supplements are unlikely to publish critical investigations into whether those products actually work. The result is a media environment where wellness marketing masquerades as health journalism.
What This Feed Provides
- Medical research updates from credible sources including ICMR, WHO, and peer-reviewed journals
- Healthcare policy developments including Ayushman Bharat, PMJAY, and state health schemes
- Mental health coverage with evidence-based reporting rather than stigma-driven narratives
- Public health alerts including disease outbreaks, vaccination drives, and drug safety updates
The Health Digest feed separates evidence-based health reporting from wellness industry PR and medical misinformation. By comparing coverage from health-specialist outlets, general media, and international health publications, you get the information you need to make informed decisions about your health — not just what advertisers want you to believe.
