Health

Did the World Health Organization (WHO) call for military forces to "round up mRNA vaccine refusers during the bird flu pandemic," as an August 2024 article claimed? No, that's not true: In an emailed statement to Lead Stories, WHO said that the article making the claim presents "flagrantly false information" since WHO has no power to mobilize military troops. The…

Did Vice President Kamala Harris suggest that young people "should not have children due to climate change," as implied by a post on X? No, that's not true: In the clip, she described how "young leaders" define climate anxiety. She did not suggest that young people "should not have children." A version of the claim appeared in a post on…

Did President Joe Biden grow mysteriously taller after spending time away from the public eye recovering from COVID-19? No, that's not true: The video footage used by people claiming this on social media shows Biden from a lower level, which gives an illusion of greater height relative to the people and architecture behind him. Different camera angles of the same…

Did the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation publish an article that suggested offering Medical Assistance in Dying, also known as MAID, to "angry young men with no prospects" to combat "growing ideological extremism"? No, that's not true: CBC confirmed to Lead Stories that the news outlet did not publish such a story. The image in the post on X included a photo…

Did former President Jimmy Carter die on July 23, 2024? No, that's not true: The owner of the account that posted a fake letter about Carter passing away told Lead Stories he carried out the hoax to show how sensationalist news spreads. The Carter Center, a human rights organization founded by the 39th president, also denied that Carter had died,…

Was President Joe Biden in hospice care as of July 23, 2024? No, that's not true: He was diagnosed with COVID-19, on July 17, 2024, then tested negative for COVID and was seen in public on July 23, 2024, returning to the White House. The social media account that first made the claim is not a reputable news organization and…

Did the U.S. Capitol lower its flag to half-staff during the week of July 22, 2024, because President Joe Biden had died? No, that's not true: The flag was lowered on July 22, 2024, to honor Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died July 19, 2024, a representative for House Speaker Mike Johnson told Lead Stories. Beyond notification that Biden had…

Were mammograms banned in Switzerland as of July 22, 2024, as a post on Instagram claimed? No, that's not true: Switzerland's Federal Department of Home Affairs told Lead Stories that "mammography is not banned at all in Switzerland." It is covered by health insurance and recommended by health experts for women over 40. The claim appeared in a post on…

Does the conservative "Project 2025" initiative to reshape the U.S. government call for a ban on abortion and contraceptives, increased retirement age, cuts in Social Security and Medicare benefits, plus elimination of overtime pay and of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration? No, that's not true: Lead Stories found these claims, posted on Facebook, to be false by reviewing the…

Did a mother's daily use of an air fryer result in high levels of antimony in her child's bloodwork? No, that's not known to be true: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued several recalls on air fryers in the past, but fire and burn hazards were the reason -- not the release of antimony. The woman provided no…