Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Acer Aspire C27-1700-UA91 AIO Desktop Buy Now
FTL Men's Eversoft Cotton Stay Tucked Crew Buy Now
Blisset 3 Pack High Waisted Leggings for Women Buy Now
Flowy Maxi Skirt with Pockets Buy Now
Fire TV 50 inch 4K Smart TV with Alexa Buy Now
GUESS Women's Pilot Sunglasses Buy Now
2 Pieces Summer Beach Outfits Buy Now
Wildpier Dermaplaning Tool Buy Now
Women Ballroom Dance Boots Buy Now
Aldo Legoirii Tote Buy Now
Anne Klein Diamond Bangle Watch Buy Now
Men's Lightweight Bomber Jacket Buy Now
Quay Sunglasses for Women Buy Now
Ankle Resistance Bands for Booty Workouts Buy Now
Golden Hour Men's Chronograph Buy Now
ZENOTTIC Polarized Sunglasses Buy Now
Hanes Pocket Undershirt 6-Pack Buy Now
Men's Knit Cardigan Buy Now
Longline Wirefree Sports Bra Buy Now
Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System Buy Now
Acer Aspire C27-1700-UA91 AIO Desktop Buy Now
FTL Men's Eversoft Cotton Stay Tucked Crew Buy Now
Blisset 3 Pack High Waisted Leggings for Women Buy Now
Flowy Maxi Skirt with Pockets Buy Now
Fire TV 50 inch 4K Smart TV with Alexa Buy Now
GUESS Women's Pilot Sunglasses Buy Now
2 Pieces Summer Beach Outfits Buy Now
Wildpier Dermaplaning Tool Buy Now
Women Ballroom Dance Boots Buy Now
Aldo Legoirii Tote Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
A guide to ‘preventing’ public health misinformation

A guide to ‘preventing’ public health misinformation

The Hindu
Friday, April 26, 2024 5:30 AM GMT

A new Lancet paper suggests interventions that can build resilience, manage information ecosystems and prevent infodemics beyond merely “reacting to misinformation or disinformation” crises.

Some public health emergencies strike with suddenness, others fester slowly. Pandemics trigger lockdowns; influenza flu activates demand for antivirals; floods prompt advisories on communicable diseases. The peril is palpable, its elimination urgent. Some threats, however, are discreet. “We’re not only fighting an epidemic, but an infodemic,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in February 2020, before COVID-19 swept the world. The alarm was rung as a surfeit of scientific information took hold: the evidence was ambiguous and false information ample. Public health infodemics crawl before they vanquish: they look like science, move to misdirect and prey on people, which in turn affected health behaviours and outcomes.

Infodemics emerge as a parallel threat as scientists warn of future outbreaks and nations join forces to bolster ‘pandemic preparedness’. Can misinformation — about pathogens, transmission, vaccines — be prevented too? A new Lancet paper offers a cocktail of real-world strategies to immunise communities from infodemics. These include, and are not limited to, training healthcare workers and improving access to reliable scientific information. The framework both preempts and responds to emergencies, suggesting interventions that begin before pathogens paralyse health systems.

Think of public health infodemic action as a river flowing downstream. The source at present is the ‘tertiary level’, when the focus is on minimising the negative effects of a crisis. Say, debunking false claims about COVID-19 vaccines, or penalising social media users who share misleading posts. The river trickles down to the ‘secondary’ level -- where strategies like listening to people and monitoring conversations can help identify infodemics at earlier stages. It reaches the ‘primary level’, where infodemics can be prevented by building literacy among people, and then the ‘primordial level’, when communities are resilient enough to not fall prey to information gluts.

The researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed literature published between 1961 and 2023, including peer-reviewed papers, reports and policy documents, to investigate how infodemics are understood and managed. A gap was evident. Frameworks sometimes included ideas but not implementation strategies; they were singularly focused on one discipline (such as epidemiology) and neglected other crises; there was little evidence linking information exposure to health behaviours and outcomes; the strategies were confined to emergency responses only, framed for the aftermath of a public health emergency.

Most pertinently, the current scaffolding missed the forest for the trees: it neglected to see misinformation as part of a complex ‘information ecosystem’ that does not function in silos. The ecosystem functions as a market. The demand for health information is spurred forward by people’s need for knowledge, literacy levels, a trust in political leaders; the supply of information is determined by public figures and social media platforms. The researchers investigated different components, “including not only misinformation and disinformation but also information overloads and information voids”. Eliminating misinformation is crucial, but “should not be the sole focus”, the paper noted.

Misinformation has floated around in the health system for centuries; the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the cost and consequences of a threat that rankles in silence. COVID-19 infodemics sparked confusion and risk-taking among the people, a sentiment that ossified into mistrust towards governments and the public health systems. The tide of fake news and globalised internet systems have weakened the foundation of health information ecosystems, says Parth Sharma, a public health physician who was not associated with the paper. This, coupled with healthcare becoming a profitable “industry”, has marked a new era where infodemics function and travel in hyperspeed. “Misinformation has become a bigger threat to the health of people than a lack of information,” adds Dr. Sharma.

The blind spots in the current framework, and regulatory challenges such as Patanjali’s allopathic dominance, have only exposed the degree of infodemic rot. A Lancet editorial recently flagged the lack of credible health data in India; the absence of which “impoverishes democratic choices”. Health misinformation also fans communal violence and hate speech. The false claims targeting Indian Muslims during COVID-19 framed the community as figures of threat and distrust, escalating the routine harassment, discrimination and violence they face. “No need to buy vegetables from ‘miyans’ [Muslims],” said a BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh in a video; hospitals reportedly separated wards for Muslim people.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
12 passengers injured as omnibus overturns near Madurantakam

Twelve passengers injured in omnibus accident near Madurantakam junction, prompting quick evacuation and traffic disruption.

Be part of IndiaAI mission, Minister tells students of KMES, Hyderabad 

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urges students to embrace technology, focus on goals, and be part of India's AI mission.

Madras HC refuses to quash prosecution initiated by ECI against K.C. Veeramani for filing false affidavit

Madras High Court refuses to quash criminal prosecution against former AIADMK Minister for false election affidavit.

BMTC conductor crashes e-bus into makeshift hotel in Peenya, killing 25-year-old woman, injuring four

A Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) electric bus conductor attempting to move a parked bus at the Peenya Bus Stand on Friday morning crashed into a roadside makeshift hotel, killing a 25-year-old woman and injuring four other

Baby hits out at Rahul Gandhi for equating CPI(M) with RSS

CPI(M) leader criticizes Rahul Gandhi for equating CPI(M) and RSS, highlighting ideological differences and historical context.

Inside hostels from Mumbai to Chennai: How biometric surveillance, curfews target female students Premium

Mumbai girls' hostel uses biometric systems, real-time alerts, and strict rules, contrasting with lax policies in boys' hostels.

Six Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur

Six Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter, part of ongoing anti-Maoist operations, with 221 total Maoist casualties this year.

Ejipura flyover deadline extended to March 2026; BBMP Chief directs officials to ensure timely completion of project

Ejipura flyover completion deadline extended to March 2026, with BBMP Chief directing officials to ensure timely progress.

9 sentenced to life in prison in Bengal for digital arrest scam

West Bengal court convicts nine in digital arrest scam, first such convictions in India, sentenced to life imprisonment.

Maharashtra clears proposal to rename Islampur as Ishwarpur

Maharashtra government renames Islampur to Ishwarpur, part of ongoing state-wide renaming initiative, approved by Cabinet and pending Union approval.

Prevent human loss during rains and floods, DGP tells APSDRF personnel

DGP Gupta directs APSDRF to prevent human loss during rains and floods, commends team for rescue operations.

Want to see ‘Admissions Closed’ board outside government schools, says HRD Minister Lokesh

Want to see ‘Admissions Closed’ board outside government schools, says HRD Minister Lokesh

Coconut farmers seek pathway to transport their produce in Ramanathapuram district

Ramanathapuram District Coconut Growers seek intervention to prevent closure of vital pathway by INS Parundhu, facing hardships.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Kindergarten students oriented on safety on board train by Railway Police

Kindergarten students oriented on safety on board train by Railway Police

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu to visit Tirupati on July 19

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's visit to Tirupati focuses on sanitation, temple visit, and public interaction.

30th graduation day held at Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College

Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College's 30th graduation day in Madurai celebrated academic achievements and advised graduates on future success.

Flooded flyovers, choked roads: Traffic police change gears on monsoon strategy

rainfall in hyderabad, traffic stalled

Maharashtra excise department lapses caused revenue loss of several crore rupees: CAG

CAG report exposes Maharashtra State excise department's operational lapses leading to significant revenue shortfalls and losses.

From unniyappam to premium Cafe Kudumbashree, a story of culinary success

Shareefa Kalathingal's journey from selling 10 packets of unniyappam to owning Cafe Kudumbashree is a tale of resilience and success.

CPI MP seeks NIA probe into Dharmasthala ‘crimes’

Rajya Sabha member urges NIA probe into alleged crimes targeting women in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, citing systematic violence and administrative silence.

Blame game between HYDRAA, residents as inundation continues

Blame game between HYDRAA, residents as inundation continues

Auroville researchers aim to ignite global interest in traditional mathematics education at Seoul meet

Auroville research team presents Indian mathematics pedagogy findings at international conference, aiming to revolutionize global math education.

Suspended IFoS officer offers apology; Minister orders his suspension to be revoked

Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer R. Gokul, who was suspended by the State government in connection with a case filed in the Supreme Court seeking permission to denotify 443 acres of HMT forest land, besides writing a letter to the CBI, has reportedly admitted to his mistake and submitted an unconditional apology.

Indian inequality and the World Bank’s claims Premium

Even if the precision of the World Bank’s inequality estimates is discounted, a significant improvement in India’s international ranking is a fact

Chaitanya Baghel actively linked to proceeds of crime in liquor case: ED tells court

ED alleges Chaitanya Baghel involved in handling over ₹1,000 crore in proceeds of crime, denies allegations.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us