<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Experts have called for greater governance on potentially misleading medical advice shared by influencers on social media.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Whilst over 40 per cent of young adults in the USA take advice from influencers, a report in The BMJ claims people are at risk of getting incorrect or biased information on important medical issues.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For example, Kim Kardashian encouraged her 360 million followers to have a full-body screening with magnetic resonance imaging.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-sydney-weather-heatwave-warning-fire-danger/ef641ef3-8330-4951-895c-bc3f5ba19b24" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Scorching heatwave to smother major city as hot air mass moves across state</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While scans can have a benefit for people at a high-risk of certain conditions it is also linked to overdiagnosis and unnecessary medical interventions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The fourth overlapping biases, according to the authors, include "limited expertise, industry influence, entrepreneurial interests, and personal belief.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Such advice can cause psychological, physical, financial, and systemic harm," the report continued.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/social-media-influencers-medical-advice/2516140b-e49b-4ddc-ae7a-e5734a43bae5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The report says influencers create a tight bond and relationship with their followers, with the sharing of real-life experiences helping foster a connection.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They can also help break stigmas surrounding certain medical conditions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jacinta-allan-victoria-1000-public-service-jobs-to-go-in-huge-budget-cuts/3aed8f6d-4a57-4006-a356-9334d91e4047" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Victorian government to slash 1000 jobs in brutal $4bn cost-cutting mission</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, the report argues more government oversight is required to ensure influencers do not mislead their followers or promote unethical practices.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia already has some laws and regulations in place, banning paid health testimonials.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some influencers believe medical experts should work more closely with them, believing they can bridge a key gap.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I wish healthcare professionals would listen and engage more with patient communities online," Lily Mae, whose Instagram account @chronicallylil shows her struggles with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, endometriosis, and vascular compression syndrome.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's such a wealth of firsthand knowledge being shared—real stories, symptoms, and lived experiences that could help improve care if more providers took the time to understand them." </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple App Store</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>.</span></strong></em></div></div>