As defined by the U.S. Surgeon General, medical misinformation is information that is false, inaccurate, or misleading according to the best available evidence at the time. Disinformation differs from misinformation, as disinformation is malicious and intentional, people know they are sharing incorrect information for some sort of personal gain. Whereas, misinformation is incorrect information but the person sharing it is unaware of the accuracy and/or credibility.
Medical misinformation is exceptionally perilous, and more common. These health myths instill mistrust of health professionals, create anxiety and confusion and deny individuals from getting timely, accurate medical care.
“Health misinformation is a serious threat to public health. It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm people’s health, and undermine public health efforts.”
Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States
Although health misinformation isn’t a new concept, the unprecedented rate and scale at which it spreads is newly disturbing. A constant influx and efflux of information on a multitude of social media platforms, internet sites, news sources and personal pages constitutes a capacity for the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
Current Priorities of the U.S. Surgeon General
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the U.S. Surgeon General focuses on the most pressing public health issues in our communities. Currently, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy holds office as the Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Murthy has determined 6 public health priorities for the nation: social connection, youth mental health, workplace well-being, health information, health worker burnout and COVID-19.
Check out the official website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to learn more.
Confronting Health Misinformation
As individuals, students, aspiring media and journalists, health professionals and part of a generation who utilizes technology constantly, I believe we have a duty to stop the spread of health misinformation.
Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States has provided an advisory titled Confronting Health Misinformation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Building a Health Information Environment. As a health science student and peer, I urge all of us to educate ourselves, check the credibility of sources before spreading information and utilize critical judgment when consuming uninterrupted stream information from the internet.
Don’t believe everything you see on the internet. Check out this infographic from the Office of the Surgeon General about how to talk to your community about health misinformation.