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Bad Influence

How the Internet Hijacked Our Health

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About this listen

“This superb book is an essential guide to the wild world of internet health.”—Chris van Tulleken, author of Ultra-Processed People

When did we start trusting influencers over doctors?

You used to see a doctor. Now you go online.

Want to track your blood sugar? Your heart rate? Your sleep? You can. Need to focus? Want to lose weight fast? Everything is a click away.

But who is regulating this?

As hospital wait times grow ever longer and some patients are priced out of medical care altogether, influencers have filled the gap. From doctors promoting new therapies, to entrepreneurs selling solutions, these self-styled experts glow with good health and guarantee results.

But they are not familiar with our medical history. They don’t owe us a duty of care. And they’re rarely either qualified or impartial. So why do we trust them?

©2026 Deborah Cohen (P)2026 Blackstone Publishing History & Commentary Medicine & Health Care Industry Physical Illness & Disease Policy & Administration Health Heartfelt
All stars
Most relevant
I was really looking forward to the release of this book, as an NHS GP who also has a foot in the online world, the topics covered in this book are central to my everyday practice.
Fantastically researched, balanced and highly relevant for the modern day health culture.
I think it’s an important book that doctors practising today can’t afford to make miss.

Everything I hoped it would be

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