Confronting Misinformation

Misinformation and disinformation can undermine community health as well as trust in public health systems, leading to harms and inequities.

People’s spread of mis- and disinformation has been studied in relation to a variety of medical topics (such as ineffective alternative medicines for cancer and false links between vaccines and autism), as well as other topics affecting health (such as politics, elections, and climate change). Although mis- and disinformation received considerable media and research attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been a public health concern during many major health events, including Ebola outbreaks and the 2009 H1N1 outbreak.

This guide provides an in-depth look at mis- and disinformation for officials and staff at all levels in state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments. The guide discusses evidence-based strategies for counteracting misinformation and its effects through the use of law, policy, community engagement, and other measures. In addition, this resource offers considerations for health practitioners who wish to partner with community members, journalists, school staff and education officials, and other decision makers to address mis- and disinformation.

This publication, developed with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is part of a suite of resources tailored to the specific needs of health departments, based on ChangeLab Solutions' literature reviews and interviews with public health practitioners.