Bad Influence: How the internet hijacked our health

Speaker: Deborah Cohen

You used to see a doctor. Now you go online.

Want to lose weight? Build muscle? Get pregnant? Advice is just a click away. With long waits for treatment and fewer face-to-face GP appointments, influencers have stepped into the breach. From doctors promoting untested therapies to celebrities selling solutions, these self-styled experts radiate wellness and guarantee results.

Join broadcaster and journalist Deborah Cohen, author of Bad Influence, as she explores the transformation of a healthcare system driven by online trends. Learn about the commodification of health in an age of anxiety and discover the truth behind Ozempic influencers, AI-powered diagnoses, ‘preventative’ screening and Instagram’s favourite wearable tech.

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Host or Publisher York Festival of Ideas