The trend: Healthcare providers lead influence on diagnoses and treatment decisions, but less so on diet, nutrition, and supplements, according to the April Edelman trust and health survey of more than 16,000 people across 16 countries, including the US.

• 48% of respondents say their provider influenced diagnosis decisions, compared with 23% who cite other sources like family and friends, social media creators, and AI.
• Providers also lead short-term treatment decisions (40% vs. 25%), but trail on diet and nutrition (35% vs. 42%) and vitamins and supplements (33% vs. 40%) when compared with outside voices and AI.

Why it matters: Providers dominate high-stakes healthcare decisions, but their weaker role in daily health behaviors gives AI, social media, and influencers more sway over daily choices.

• 33% of US adults have used AI tools to create nutrition or weight loss plans, according to an April Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics survey.
• About 70% of Gen Zers and millennials who follow social media health influencers say they’ve taken their advice over a doctor, according to EMARKETER’s “January 2026 US Digital Health” survey.