IFPHOR0208 Gender- and Generation-Related Vulnerability to Health Misinformation in France: Findings from a White Paper and a National Survey on Women’s Health Conducted by Civil Society Using Multiple Methods (2025)

Health misinformation significantly affects women, who actively seek health information and play a leading role in managing health within families. The gender-related dimensions of vulnerability to the infodemic remain understudied.In 2015, 17 women from the Femmes de Santé Collective, a French civil society organisation, undertook a voluntary initiative to produce a white paper focused on health misinformation and women health. The document is based on a literature review, expert interviews, a stakeholders’ mapping and a nationally representative survey (CSA Institute) assessing women’s perceptions of their exposure to health misinformation, its impact and the credibility of sources.Across the entire sample, 46% are very concerned about health misinformation, and 43% fell inadequately informed about its risks. 57% reported having potentially made a health-related decision based on inaccurate information. Two main sources were identified: internet/social media/AI/influencers (37%), and healthcare professionals or institutions (34%).Marked generational differences were observed. Among 18–24-year-olds, 67% reported having made health decisions influenced by misinformation, compared with 39% among those aged 65+. Paradoxically, only 33% of young women felt poorly informed, while according almost equal legitimacy to ‘good advice’ from relatives as they do to academically trained professionals. Women aged 65+ expressed greater concern (60%) and made greater use of healthcare professionals (82%), suggesting distinct vulnerability profiles across generations.The white paper’s recommendations cover health and misinformation literacy, health professionals’ specific trainings, platform regulation and gender-disaggregated social listening. It offers a framework for monitoring gender-based vulnerability to the infodemic in preparedness contexts.Accessible here: https://www.femmesdesante.fr/livre-blanc-mesinformation