ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Oct. 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- The World Medical Association (WMA), representing doctors worldwide, is prescribing necessary steps to curb false health information that harms patients and erodes trust in evidence-informed health care.

Today, the 77^th General Assembly of the WMA, meeting in the Netherlands, adopted the first-ever global policy to combat false health information. Led by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Conseil National de l'Ordre des Médecins (CNOM), the policy provides recommendations for governments, technology companies, and medical professionals to strengthen trustworthy health communication worldwide and protect public health from the harmful effects of inaccurate and misleading health claims.

"Physicians have an ethical duty to provide accurate, evidence-based health information," says Dr. Jung Yul Park, WMA President. "But that trusted voice is increasingly competing with a flood of false and misleading content online, particularly on social media. With AI now able to produce convincing medical deepfakes at scale, this is a global threat to patient safety and public trust that demands an urgent, coordinated international response."

The policy calls on national health authorities and governments to develop strategies to reduce the spread of and risks associated with false health information, engage social media platforms to develop stronger accountability and transparency measures and remove harmful content, and explore appropriate disciplinary action against non-compliant offenders. It also offers guidance to the medical community on navigating false health information with patients.

"False health information affects us all, sometimes with dire consequences," says Dr. Alika Lafontaine, CMA delegate. "When inaccurate claims spread, people may reject proven treatments, postpone necessary care, discontinue evidence-based treatment, or adopt harmful practices that damage their well-being. False information can also erode trust in the clinical relationship. Physicians can counter false information one patient at a time, but we also need a systemic response to slow its spread and stop it at its sources."

"This statement highlights the serious impact of false health information and the need for a coordinated international response. It calls on all involved in producing, publishing and disseminating health-related information to develop a greater sense of responsibility and ensure that information provided to the public is evidence-based," says Dr. Philippe Cathala, CNOM's delegate.

About the CMA
The Canadian Medical Association leads a national movement with physicians who believe in a better future of health. Our ambition is a sustainable, accessible health system where patients are partners, a culture of medicine that elevates equity, diversity and wellbeing, and supportive communities where everyone has the chance to be healthy. We drive change through advocacy, giving and knowledge sharing – guided by values of collaboration and inclusion.

About the CNOM :

The Conseil National de l'Ordre des médecins brings together all physicians in France, regardless of their status, specialty, or practice setting. It safeguards the independence, ethical standards, and honor of the medical profession, and serves as the guardian of the doctor-patient relationship.

SOURCE Canadian Medical Association