Addressing Misinformation
Identifying Credible Sources of Health Information in Social Media
The increasing rise of healthcare misinformation, particularly in social media, can have a deleterious impact on patient engagement and outcomes. We’ve collaborated with partners on two initiatives focused on source credibility and knowledge-sharing to build trust of high-quality health information in social media.
CMSS and our partners at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), and the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborated to help identify and elevate credible sources of health information on social media and related platforms.
- Phase 1 of Identifying Credible Sources of Health Information in Social Media: Principles and Attributes provided a framework to aid organizations in identifying and vetting credible health sources beyond entities already subject to standardized vetting mechanisms. This work was led by the NAM.
- Phase 2, led by CMSS, the NAM, and the WHO, focused on identifying credible sources of health information in social media, including health-related videos, which are highlighted on YouTube in a “shelf” at the top of a search for health topics.
CMSS also provides strategic support to the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science, in partnership with the American Board of Internal Medicine and the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing to identify research gaps in promoting the communication of evidence-based health information and enhancing trust in health care, public health and science. In addition, the paper will assess the evidence of promising practices for larger-scale testing and development and will be available in late 2024.
Value:
These initiatives are part of CMSS’ commitment to advance healthcare by addressing misinformation, elevating credible sources of health information, and identifying gaps in knowledge where further research and funding are needed.
Contact:
Suzanne Pope, CMSS Senior Advisor