An emerging market of DIY medical tests is reshaping how people manage their health, but experts warn of potential risks.

Elizabeth Dwoskin, Daniel Gilbert, and Tatum Hunter report for The Washington Post.

In short:

• The rise of at-home medical tests is empowering patients to bypass traditional doctors, driven by distrust and a DIY health culture.
• These tests, offered by startups, include a range of conditions from food sensitivities to hormone levels and are often marketed without stringent FDA approval.
• Critics argue that this trend can lead to misdiagnosis, delayed medical care, and questionable remedies, creating a complex landscape of unregulated health solutions.

Key quote:

“Home-testing companies and influencers are creating a market preying on people’s very normal concerns about their health.”

— Karen Tang, gynecologist

Why this matters:

The DIY medical testing boom reflects growing mistrust in traditional healthcare with implications for patient safety and the accuracy of diagnoses, suggesting a need for better regulatory oversight. Read more: Reimagining healthcare to reduce pollution, tackle climate change and center justice.