Health Disinformation – A Public Health Risk
Purpose:
The paper highlights the rise of misinformation and disinformation within two key contemporary trends: the digital transformation of the communication environment and the weakening of traditional epistemic intermediaries, such as journalists, academic institutions, scientific journals, as well as physicians and other health professionals. Particularly, the focus is placed on the dissemination of health-related misinformation and disinformation, which undermines the credibility and authority of evidence-based medicine and contributes to the rejection of public health interventions among certain societal groups.
Approach:
An analytical-narrative approach is adopted, combining a literature review with examples from historical and contemporary societal contexts.
Findings:
The author defines the types of misinformation and discusses the spread of health-related misinformation and disinformation within a brief historical context. The paper discusses how such misinformation poses a risk to public health, the challenges and opportunities posed by generative AI, and what communicationeducational strategies to mitigate its spread and impact. The discussion underscores the critical need to provide credible, trustworthy information and to strengthen public trust in health institutions and professionals. This is essential not only for public health but also for public safety, as widespread health misinformation can lead to broader social unrest and threaten societal stability.
Originality/Value:
The paper emphasizes the significance of understanding the information environment as a social determinant of health. It synthesizes innovative strategies to combat health-related misinformation by advocating for an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates anthropology, psychology, and communication sciences. The importance of health literacy and enhanced communication skills for health professionals, policymakers, health journalists, and other stakeholders is highlighted as a means to improve the dissemination and comprehension of healthrelated information.
UDC: 659.3:614
Keywords: information ecosystem, misinformation, disinformation, determinants of health, safety