Combating Misinformation as a Core Function of Public Health

Misinformation has become a powerful tool in this digital age, with the prevalence of social media making it easier to spread than ever before.The implications of unchecked misinformation can be devastating, impacting the public’s health and wellbeing. Public health must act now to become a more active counter to this concerning trend.

The Negative Impacts of Misinformation

Misinformation can have wide-ranging negative effects on the public’s health and wellbeing. Misleading information about the prevention, treatment, and spread of diseases, for instance, can lead to serious disparities in care. In addition, misinformation can increase public mistrust of health services, and even lead to sociocultural divisions over issues ranging from vaccinations to nutrition.

Combatting Misinformation

Public health organizations are uniquely positioned to combat the spread of misinformation, and have the resources and experience to lead the charge. It is important for them to adopt a multi-pronged approach that includes:

• Creating accurate and evidence-based health information campaigns to ensure that verifiedinformation is the only information available.
• Developing partnerships with other organizations and influencers to amplify messages and reach more people.
• Combating existing misinformation. This is best done through fact-checking, holding those responsible accountable, and providing an alternative “true” narrative.
• Monitoring and responding quickly and proactively to new or emerging misinformation.

Public health organizations can also engage the public through dialogue, online forums and other interactive platforms to foster open and inclusive conversation about the most pressing health issues. By doing this, they will ensure that they stay ahead of the curve and keep the public safe.

Conclusion

Combating misinformation is an important part of protecting public health, and public health organizations have the expertise and resources to lead this shift. By creating and reinforcing accurate and evidence-based information campaigns, engaging in dialogue, and monitoring for misinformation, public health organizations can create a reality in which verified facts drive public health decisions and actions.

Source: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMP1911589