Confronting Mis and Disinformation in Public Health
Mis and disinformation threaten public health, and ASPPH is committed to fighting it by rebuilding trust in science.
Understanding the Problem
Misinformation and disinformation are not new issues, but they pose significant threats to public health. While misinformation involves the unintentional sharing of false information, disinformation is the deliberate spread of falsehoods to cause harm. The rise of the internet and social media has amplified these issues, allowing false claims to spread rapidly and widely.
The Current Landscape
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of misinformation and disinformation, which were used against public health efforts. The mistrust in medical institutions among Black and Latino communities stems from a history of abuse by these institutions, which has unfortunately made these groups more vulnerable to false information. Our information environment, influenced by factors such as political polarization and the decline of local news outlets, has become a social determinant of health, impacting overall well-being.
ASPPH’s Commitment
Ensuring Access to Quality Information: We strive to make reliable health information accessible both online and offline.
Activating Trusted Messengers: We engage community leaders to disseminate accurate information.
Encouraging Engagement: We encourage public health professionals to participate in two-way conversations on social media.
Community-Based Approaches: We advocate for working with infodemiologists to understand and address the information needs of communities.
Our Initiatives
Educational Efforts
We incorporate lessons on the dangers of misinformation into our educational materials, such as our Messaging Guide and Voting is Public Health guide.
Conferences and Sessions
We host sessions on public health messaging in the age of misinformation, including at APHA’s 2023 Annual Meeting and 2024 Annual Meeting.
Collaborative Efforts
We are active members of the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science, which works to build trust in healthcare, public health, and science across all segments of society.
Additional Resources
This project documents the experiences of public health officials in combating misinformation. ASPPH’s COVID-19 Storytelling Project includes quotes and examples from public health officials working to address misinformation and disinformation.
We provide resources to help educate policymakers on the importance of investing in public health.
This series highlights the importance of accurate health information and features many of our members.
Learn how our members are working to help combat misinformation and disinformation.