Italian President Warns Against Trusting Internet for Health Advice
In a recent public address, Italian President Sergio Mattarella urged citizens to refrain from viewing the Internet as a reliable source for health concerns, comparing it to a trusted medical professional. His remarks come as a response to a growing trend where misinformation and poorly advised medical choices are being made by individuals seeking health-related information online.
During his speech at the 25th anniversary ceremony of the Permanent Observatory for Young Publishers, Mattarella expressed deep concern over the alarming rise of vaccine-preventable diseases. He pointed out that youth today may not fully grasp the significance of vaccinations since many illnesses, such as polio and measles, which had previously posed serious health threats, have re-emerged due to inadequate vaccination coverage among the population.
"There is a non-negligible percentage of people who think that the Earth is flat," he noted, highlighting the troubling spread of misinformation that can lead to dangerous health outcomes. He underscored the necessity of established medical knowledge over the unfounded opinions that proliferate on social media and other online platforms.
This warning comes on the heels of a tragic incident where a 22-year-old Sicilian woman, Margaret Spada, tragically died four days after undergoing a cosmetic procedure at an unauthorized clinic in Rome. This clinic, which she found through an online advertisement, exemplifies the risks associated with seeking medical services based on Internet searches rather than consulting qualified healthcare professionals.
President Mattarella's plea serves as a reminder of the importance of relying on verified medical advice and the potential consequences of disregarding professional guidance. As he put it, people must avoid placing their health decisions in the hands of online sources that lack credibility. The message is clear: the Internet should not replace trusted medical practitioners in discussions related to personal health and safety.
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