HEALTH

How TikTok Influences Health Decisions During Flu Season

mainland ChinaThu Jul 03 2025

TikTok has emerged as a significant platform for health information, particularly in China. During flu season, when individuals seek quick health advice, TikTok's short videos can influence their decisions. But how does this process unfold?

Research Insights

Researchers explored this question by examining two crucial factors:

  1. Perception and Response to Health Issues
  2. Attitudes Towards Technology for Health Information

By integrating these factors, the study aimed to understand what drives people to take action against the flu.

Focus on TikTok

The study intentionally focused on TikTok due to its widespread sharing and consumption of health content. Unlike most studies that concentrate on a single aspect, this research combined two theories to achieve a more comprehensive understanding.

Key Findings

The findings highlighted that people's beliefs and attitudes significantly influence whether they follow health advice. Key points include:

  • Usefulness and Applicability: If information is deemed useful and easy to apply, individuals are more likely to act on it.
  • Skepticism and Distrust: If people are skeptical or distrust the source, they might dismiss the advice.

This underscores the importance of not just sharing health tips but also presenting them in a way that builds trust and clarity.

Creating Effective Health Messages

For developing effective health messages on TikTok, the key is to ensure the information is:

  • Clear
  • Practical
  • Trustworthy

Without these elements, people might not take the advice seriously. This study provides valuable insights for creating better health content on social media platforms.

questions

    How does the dissemination of health information on TikTok compare to traditional media channels in terms of effectiveness and reach?
    Is the emphasis on health protective behaviors a distraction from more significant health issues that are being ignored?
    What if the 'For You Page' algorithm started recommending hand-washing tutorials instead of dance challenges?

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