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The Covid-19 pandemic amplified what has been present for years- medical misinformation on the internet and social media. According to reports from NBC news, examples of fake news that have propagated through the internet include berries being more effective than vaccines in fighting various infections, ginger being more effective at treating cancer than chemotherapy, and Covid vaccines causing harm and death to children and pregnant females. Given the high stakes surrounding health misinformation and its potential to influence public health and education, clear strategies must be implemented to combat misinformation. Below are a few to consider.
Clear Messaging
The general public must know and understand important public health policies and recommendations that are being given by expert panels and governing bodies. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 1 in 5 adults have heard nothing about the Covid-19 Bivalent booster. It should then be of no surprise that only a little over 16% of eligible Americans have received this booster. Although there are likely many reasons for this, the low uptake of the Covid booster shot underscores the importance of disseminating clear messaging on the importance, efficacy, and availability of the shot to the entire American public. This should be done consistently by the federal government in press conferences, news media outlets, and local community venues like town hall meetings.
Public Health Experts Must Lead The Narrative
Imagine having a sick dog that needed a lifesaving surgery to survive. Chances are you would consult an expert veterinarian who has spent their career in gaining expertise in the care of dogs to get the best possible care for your dog. Similarly, when it comes to public health policies and practices; expert scientists, physicians, and public health officials should be leading news and media narratives using evidence-based data. For example, in the case of Monkeypox, trained and reputable epidemiologists, scientists, and physicians who study and treat this virus should be the ones invited on media outlets and local town hall meetings to educate the public about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. These experts cannot be shy and must use all their resources, including social media platforms, to educate the public using the most scientific rigorous evidence-based guidelines developed to date.
Hold Social Media Platforms Accountable For Misinformation
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of Americans often or sometimes get their news from social media. This is potentially troubling since anyone, an expert or amateur, can post whatever they wish on social media. This can open the door for misinformation to propagate, especially if posts go viral. To curb this, these platforms should and must regularly monitor misinformation. Specifically, machine learning algorithms as well as personnel should be employed to ensure fallacies and unsubstantiated information are not propagated on important issues, like public health. In addition, social media platforms can amplify evidence-based knowledge from trusted, reputable experts so as to inform the many Americans that use social media for their source of news. These platforms should also weaken financial incentives of accounts that spread misinformation and keep them accountable by mandating use of real-name accounts, which should decrease the number of fake accounts that may potentially spread false information.
Increase Health and Media Literacy
A critical component of a modern American education includes developing critical and analytical skills when analyzing information. Educational programs in grade schools and universities should teach health and media literacy as important real-life skills that will be used often. Understanding and analyzing credibility of sources, whether data is substantiated with evidence, and biases in reporting are all important when analyzing information that may inform public health practices. The more robust our educational programs are in addressing these, the more likely the general public will be able to recognize misinformation when brought before them.
Addressing health misinformation takes a village. If not done, the consequences can be devastating- including but not limited to decreased compliance amongst the public in lifesaving treatments and interventions.
