IBGE to involve Federal Police to combat health survey disinformation

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) has announced it will involve the Federal Police and the Office of the Attorney General (AGU) to investigate the spread of disinformation regarding the 2026 National Health Survey (PNS 2026).

Social media posts have falsely claimed that the survey is being used to create a state-run DNA database. The IBGE refuted these claims, clarifying that blood and urine samples collected during the study are used exclusively for statistical purposes—such as measuring glucose, cholesterol, and creatinine levels—and will be discarded after the exams are completed.

The institute stated that this misinformation is hindering field operations and resident participation across the country. The PNS 2026, conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Health, aims to visit 140,000 households to gather data on lifestyle and health access to assist in public policy planning, vaccination campaigns, and disease prevention. The survey, which began in July, is scheduled to conclude in November.