Failure to tackle health misinformation puts Americans’ lives at risk, he said.
July 15, 2021, 11:00 a.m.
• 6 minutes to read
The surgeon general warns Americans of the “urgent threat of health disinformation” amid the government’s current efforts to increase stagnant vaccination rates.
Dr. Vivek Murthy’s opinion – the first under the Biden administration – addresses an epidemic of disinformation and disinformation, and its pernicious impact on public health – specifically threatening the US response to COVID-19. He presents misinformation as having hampered vaccination efforts, sowing mistrust, causing people to reject public health measures, use unproven treatments, prolong the pandemic and put lives at risk.
The opinion states that the fight against disinformation is a “moral and civic responsibility” at the individual and institutional level.
The decision to raise this issue in its first official notice comes as some Republicans have used the government’s coronavirus response and vaccine messages as a political wedge.
Although Murthy does not call by name any of the Republican elected officials who have criticized a distorted interpretation of the Biden administration’s vaccination campaign, he suggests that the “stakeholders” responsible in the fight against disinformation include office holders. public as important public messengers.
“Disinformation tends to thrive in environments characterized by societal divide, animosity and mistrust,” the advisory says. “Distrust of the health care system due to experiences with racism and other inequalities can facilitate the spread of disinformation in some communities. Growing polarization, including in the political sphere, can also contribute to the spread of disinformation. “
The advisory also explores social media platforms as having greatly contributed to the “unprecedented speed and scale” of the spread of disinformation and Murthy calls on tech and social media companies to “take more responsibility for stop the spread of health misinformation online.
“Health disinformation is an urgent threat to public health. It can confuse, sow distrust and undermine public health efforts, including our ongoing work to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” Murthy said in a statement. “As Surgeon General, my job is to help keep people safe and healthy, and without limiting the spread of health misinformation, American lives are at risk… meeting this challenge will require a comprehensive society, but it is essential for the long-term health of our nation. “
The advisory explains how to better identify and avoid sharing health misinformation, engage with the community on the issue, and develop local strategies against misinformation.
Healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations can proactively interact with patients and the public by listening with empathy and correcting misinformation in a personalized way. The advisory suggests using social media and partnering with community groups to spread accurate information.
Governments can prevent and combat disinformation by finding “common ground on difficult issues”, increasing investment in research, fact-checking and engaging in rumor control. Murthy advised partnering with trusted messengers, using proactive messaging and community engagement strategies. Health teams should identify local patterns of disinformation and train public health disinformation researchers.
Technology platforms can assess the pros and cons of how their products are constructed and “take responsibility for remedying the cons”; strengthen their surveillance of disinformation and improve transparency; and proactively address information gaps. Businesses could also prioritize the early detection of disinformation “super-broadcasters” or repeat offenders, and amplify trusted messaging, with a focus on protecting healthcare professionals, journalists and others from online harassment.
Journalists and media organizations can ensure their teams are trained to recognize, demystify, and avoid amplification of disinformation by carefully reviewing material that has not been peer reviewed.
Educators and schools can support evidence-based programs that build “resilience” to misinformation by teaching people to be more picky about it and to talk to friends and family who share misinformation.
Foundations can provide training and resources to grantees working in communities disproportionately affected by disinformation, including areas with lower confidence in immunization, and monitor health disinformation in multiple languages.
Researchers and research institutes can strengthen their monitoring of health issues and concerns, assess the impact that disinformation might have, and tailor interventions to the needs of specific populations, understanding how people are exposed and affected by disinformation.
Anne Flaherty of ABC News contributed to this report.
