A doctor goes on Instagram to fight the increasing purge of anti-vaxxers online



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In the United States, a doctor said he found a cure for the increasing purging of false information being peddled by non-experts, such as anti-vaxxers who are campaigning on controversial medical topics.

Dr. Austin Chiang says the best way to deal with fake information online is to fight them with factual information from experts like him, a gastroenterologist trained at Harvard University.

Armed with more than 20,000 followers on Instagram, he also holds the title of Medical Social Media Manager at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.

He often shares online photos of the hospital, dressed in scrub with a caption detailing the latest research or studies he has read or heard of at medical conferences.

Dr. Chiang also uses this platform to dispel rumors and sift through all the false information conveyed by celebrities and social media influencers.

See this post on Instagram

#DontGoViral ? _ ☑️ In prevention, I want to see receipts. I require facts from well-designed studies and not from the rumor. Joining I join some colleagues today to discuss the importance of vaccines. Up to now, in 2019, high-profile epidemics from unvaccinated communities resulted in a total of 206 individual cases in 11 states (as of February 28, by @cdcgov), of which 71 are currently in the state of Washington. Do not forget that measles would have been eradicated in 2000 here in the United States. At the Senate Committee's Tuesday hearing, the government was asked to develop campaigns to combat anti-vaccine messages. ? _ ? As with ALL other interventions (even vitamins or dietary supplements), there are risks. However, the rare risks must be weighed against the advantage and the risk of not having been vaccinated. Millions of deaths have been prevented with vaccines. Of course, nothing is ever 100% foolproof, but what worries me as well is that misinformation about vaccines can easily be directed to another salvating treatment saved in oblivion. _ ? On the other hand, some risks are wrongly attributed. The resources that could have been used to find the next treatment (in addition to illness caused by unvaccinated individuals) were thus diverted to a new investigation into the past. Recently, another study published in @annalsofim showed that 657,461 children born in Denmark between 1999 and December 31, 2010 strongly supported the increased risk of autism badociated with MMR vaccine (risk ratio 0.93 95% CI, 0.85-1.02). _ Idea The idea that social media is partly responsible for the mistakes prompted YouTube and Facebook to take steps to limit support for anti-vaccine misinformation. But as an @nytimes article points out today, this is not enough. The real power will be to ensure that the appropriate laws are enacted to protect our health interests as a population. _ ? Identify the ideas of other health leaders! . . . #spreadFACTSnotmeasles #facts #vaccineswork #measles #vaccines #immunize #wellness #health #safety #prevention #outbreak #publichealth #measles

An article shared by Austin C. MD MPH GI Doctor (@austinchiangmd) on

Dr. Chiang told CNBC that his online presence was minimal compared to some more controversial personalities such as Anthony Williams, New York Times successful author of the Medical Medical books that have been publicly supported by Gwyneth Paltrow.

Nearly two million people say that vegetables can cure a range of diseases, including depression and diabetes.

Wrong information from immunization advocates has been much more frequent and even less legitimate on platforms such as Pinterest and Facebook.

Even Amazon and eBay have been faulted by hosting providers on their site for putting forward dangerous and unproven "cures", such as an industrial force laundering agent claiming to help the company. Autism in children.

Closer to home, celebrity chef Pete Evans has often been criticized for his alternative perspectives on health and nutrition.

In December, Evans claimed on Instagram that watching in the sun was a good thing for you.

"These simple yet powerful practices must be two of the best forms of free medicine on the planet for the body, the mind and the mind," he wrote.

Dr. Chiang uses his expertise and exposure to try to confuse these dangerous views, he said.

"This is the biggest crisis we have right now in the health sector," he told CNBC. "Everyone should be there, but I realize that I am one of the few."

The gastroenterologist has tried to launch public awareness campaigns with hashtags. Include #verifyhealthcare to encourage colleagues to be more transparent about their links with the industry and another called #dontgoviral to counter anti-vaxxer content.

Dr. Steve Klasko, general manager of Jefferson Health, is also a social media enthusiast and wants to see more than 3,000 doctors use the platform for good.

"All people under 35 use Facebook and Instagram as a vehicle, and I want them to see Jefferson as a partner for their health, so they'll think of us," he said.

Dr. Klasko cited the rising rate of measles and the higher rates of refusal to vaccinate their children reported as evidence of the growing need for experts to strengthen their online presence.

"Imagine if it would be easier to access The national inquiry than The Washington Post, "He

said CNBC. "I'm afraid this is happening in health care right now."

Continue the conversation on Twitter @James_P_Hall or [email protected]

Originally published as the doctor's revenge against anti-vaxxers

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