Canadians turning to AI for health information, survey finds

A Canadian Medical Association survey found about half of Canadians use AI for health information and those users were reported as five times more likely to say their health was harmed; the survey also found widespread exposure to false or misleading content online.

The Canadian Medical Association released its 2026 Health and Media Tracking Survey reporting on how people find and trust health information. The survey found about half of Canadians use AI platforms for health queries and many encounter false or misleading content online. CMA leaders and physicians noted that people often turn to online sources when they lack access to a family doctor or health professional. The survey was conducted by Abacus Data with 5,000 respondents between Nov. 3 and 13, 2025, and a reported margin of error of ±1.38 percentage points. Key findings: - About 52 percent reported using AI search results for health information and 48 percent used AI for treatment advice. - Respondents who used AI were reported as five times more likely to say they experienced harms to their health compared with non-users. - Sixty-four percent said they encountered false or misleading health content online, and only 27 percent said they trust AI to give accurate health information. - Most respondents still place trust in health care practitioners, while many worry about misinformation flowing from other countries. Summary: The survey indicates widespread use of online and AI tools for health information alongside notable concerns about accuracy and reported harms. Undetermined at this time.