Category: Health

Our coverage of health issues and health misconceptions and disinformation, including fact checks, fact sheets, multimedia stories, and in-depth reports.

The health topics covered in this microsite are those that have gained the most prominence among Filipinos based on VERA Files’ coverage. These include cancer and other non-communicable diseases, maternal and reproductive health, food and nutrition, traditional medicine, vaccines, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and mental health.

Feature:

Basahin ang VERA Files comics-handbook sa paglaban sa health misinformation!

Read the VERA Files comics handbook on fighting health misinformation!

Categories FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Placing onions on foot soles does NOT treat high uric acid, rheumatism

By VERA Files | Mar 01, 2023 10:56 AM
An herbalist incorrectly claimed in a Facebook (FB) Reel that putting sliced onions on the soles of one’s feet cures high uric acid levels and rayuma (rheumatism) within a week. He also said that the same method treats cough, colds and flu in three days. None of this health advice is true, according to health […]

onion, rayuma

Categories FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Video about drinking water after eating NEEDS CONTEXT

By VERA Files | Feb 10, 2023 4:18 PM
Editor’s Note: This fact-check was updated on Feb. 24 to take into consideration both Ayurvedic and conventional medicinal practices. A previous version of the article rated as False some of the claims made in the circulating video. They have since been updated to reflect a Needs Context rating. We thank our reader for asking VERA […]

drinking water, Health

Categories COVID-19 Watch FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Vlogger TWISTS Pfizer CEO’s statement on COVID vaccines

By VERA Files | Jan 30, 2023 11:28 AM
A vlogger known for spreading COVID-19 disinformation took out-of-context the Pfizer CEO’s recent statement. She used his remarks to falsely insinuate that two major vaccine manufacturers are creating conditions that will lead to more severe disease and hospitalizations and that their vaccines will be sold as “cure.” “They have a proposal: [Pfizer and Moderna] will […]

Pfizer, vaccine

Categories FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Taking night showers does NOT increase risk of stroke

By VERA Files | Jan 27, 2023 12:16 PM
A video that appeared on TikTok and Facebook carried false advice against taking showers at night, which allegedly causes a higher risk of stroke. Medical specialists dismissed any correlation between taking a bath no matter what time of day to high blood pressure, the main cause of stroke. The 46-second clip, uploaded on Jan. 18 […]

Health, stroke

Categories FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: FB posts, sites promote FAKE cure vs high cholesterol

By VERA Files | Jan 27, 2023 1:42 AM
Six Facebook (FB) pages and two websites are advertising a product they tout to be “safe” and “super effective” against high cholesterol and fatty liver. These are yet another health scam. The product called An Mach Khang is not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a drug or food supplement. Nor is […]

high cholesterol

Categories FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: ‘Sinusitis spray’ ads on FB are FAKE

By VERA Files | Jan 27, 2023 1:31 AM
Several posts are circulating on Facebook (FB) advertising an “all-natural” nasal spray that guarantees to cure sinusitis and rhinitis within seven to 14 days. These are scams. VERA Files Fact Check flagged four such posts from Jan. 12 to 16 alone. Some featured videos of unidentified people dressed as medical experts selling the product, while […]

scam, sinusitis

Categories FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Impostor site posts FAKE ‘ANC’ story on ‘instant cure’ for cataract, glaucoma

By VERA Files | Jan 26, 2023 6:12 PM
A website posing as ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) published a report on a product that allegedly treats two eye conditions without surgery. Cardiologist Dr. Willie Ong supposedly developed the cure.

Doc Willie Ong, Eyes

Categories FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Time Capsule ad of local celebrities, Vicki Belo FAKE

By VERA Files | Jan 26, 2023 6:00 PM
Fake advertisements are again circulating on Facebook (FB) featuring actresses and dermatologist Vicki Belo promoting a “magical gel” that works against scars, acne, melasma and other skin problems.

Vicki Belo

Categories FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Claim about not taking medicine for diarrhea NEEDS CONTEXT

By VERA Files | Jan 16, 2023 5:41 PM
An alternative medicine practitioner posted a Facebook Reel on Jan. 2, where he advised people not to take medicine when suffering from diarrhea or loose bowel movement. This needs context as some conditions need medication, according to experts. “Nagtatae ka, iinuman mo ng gamot. Mali. Lalo mong pinahihirapan ang katawan mo… Mai-istop, hindi mailalabas [ang […]

Categories COVID-19 Watch FACT CHECK FB FC Health
VERA FILES FACT CHECK: NO data supporting Omicron XBB variant is ‘5x’ deadlier than Delta

By VERA Files | Jan 10, 2023 11:18 PM
With the rise of COVID-19 cases overseas, a text post is spreading among Filipinos on social media and private messaging platforms claiming the new COVID-19 subvariant XBB.1.5 is more lethal than the Delta variant. This is not true. The text, which started to circulate after New Year’s day, cited as its source an unspecified “Singaporean […]

COVID-19