Student Health Services Battles Dr. Google for College Students' Trust
UNF's Student Health Center is tackling the trend of students turning to Dr. Google for medical advice, especially among college-aged individuals. According to a 2025 study in Frontiers in Public Health, over 90% of surveyed college students have searched online for health information.
The clinic has adapted to this shift by incorporating online resources such as its Canvas page and social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Dr. Vanessa Riegert-Johnson, the chief medical officer and medical director at Student Health Services, emphasized the importance of verifying credible sources when researching health information online.
'I want you to be interested in your health, and I understand people want to try to figure it out on their own too. I get that. But don't take it as gospel,' Riegert-Johnson said.