Health Misinformation in Africa, Latin America and the UK: Impacts and Possible Solutions

“Health misinformation is not a peculiarity of the 2020s. From rumours in Nigeria in the early 2000s that polio vaccinations were a conspiracy, to allegations that the 2015 Zika crisis in the Americas and Asia-Pacific was man made, there is a long history of health misinformation. This briefing reviews some of the key episodes and possible solutions.

The authors of this study show that misinformation can hinder public authorities’ abilities to deal with health crises, such as the Ebola virus and Zika, but also perpetuate conspiracies regarding vaccination, AIDS, and long-running assumptions about sexual and reproductive health. They also evaluate the effectiveness of interventions such as corrections and long-term interventions, with a view to provide fact checkers with practical recommendations.”

Last modified: June 16, 2021

Language: English