Leveraging media and health communication strategies to overcome the COVID-19 infodemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a complementary infodemic, whereby various outlets and digital media portals shared false information and unsourced recommendations on health. In addition, journals and authors published a mass of academic articles at a speed that suggests a non-existent or a non-rigorous peer review process. Such lapses can promote false information and adoption of health policies based on misleading data. Reliable information is vital for designing and implementing preventive measures and promoting health awareness in the fight against COVID-19. In the age of social media, information travels wide and fast, emphasizing a need for accurate data to be corroborated swiftly and for preventing misleading information from wide dissemination. Here, we discuss the implications of the COVID-19 infodemic and explore practical ways to leverage health communication strategies to overcome it. We propose the "Infodemic Response Checklist" as a comprehensive tool to overcome the challenges posed by the current and any future infodemics.

Chasing the ghost of infection past: identifying thresholds of change during the COVID-19 infection in Spain

“…Luis Santamaría and Joaquín Hortal Table 2. Association between breakpoints in disease growth dynamics (total number of cases and deaths) and thresholds of change in policy stringency and citizen mobility, reported in Spain and the two autonomous regions hosting its two largest cities (Madrid and Catalonia) importance of media participation for the success of these soft measures [30,31]. The results also indicate, however, that these measures were not enough to contain the spread of the virusand the issuing of soft social-distancing measures by the regional governments had only a moderate impact upon it (phase 3).…”

“…Interestingly, a similar slowdown of COVID-19 growth rates before the enforcement of the population lockdown was not observed in China [28], probably due to the initial lack of information about the potential for easy transmission of the disease. The different response of the Spanish population provides evidence for both the potential effectiveness of controlling the initial growth of the pandemic through ‘soft’ contention measures based on public health policies and an enhanced use of the primary health care system (as advocated by [29]) and the key importance of media participation for the success of these soft measures [30, 31].…”

Effect of Face Masks on Interpersonal Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…It is important for experts to address the underlying problems and concerns regarding face masks while highlighting their importance as protective equipment against infection ( 16 ). This will ease people's acceptance of and commitment to the face mask.…”

“…This will ease people's acceptance of and commitment to the face mask. Scientists and experts can prevent the spread of false assumptions and empower people by raising awareness on several health challenges and topics through social media, interviews, and podcasts ( 16 ).…”

Public health response to COVID-19: the forecaster’s dilemma

“…• whom we select to lead and fund the local and national preparedness efforts and ensure that public health workforce is well equipped and supported to detect and control emerging threats [3]; • how to keep the public well informed about health risks and health behaviors at individual and community levels and to enable the public to make decisions based on strong evidence and good science [4]; • how we train public health professionals to devise effective protective strategies using cutting edge techniques, theories, and concepts, like systems-thinking and behavioral change theories to advocate and communicate science-based health messages to all who should take proper actions.…”