Combating Digital Health Misinformation: Policy Solutions for a Healthier, Informed Public.

We live in a digital world where information is disseminated every second, and we all absorb it daily. While this rapid flow of information is beneficial in many ways, it also poses a significant threat. The increasing prevalence of digital health misinformation, fueled by technological advancements, demands our immediate attention.

To curb and ensure a safe digital world is promoted, policies need to be implemented to create a better social world. In this article, I will discuss how misinformation has caused harm with case scenarios, how we, as people, can contribute to a safer digital health world, and introduce policies that can aid in achieving a better outcome.

Let’s begin!

Now close your eyes and imagine,

You are scrolling on the internet, and there is a sudden wave of information on social media circling about how cesarean sections are dangerous to a woman’s health. You begin to see wellness products that aid in a better natural birth. You see on social media that a C-section is supposed to be the last option in all birth cases. There is a sudden increase in influencers promoting wellness products; there are discussions from blog posts talking about how dangerous caesarean sections can be, the promotion of home delivery in unsanctioned areas, etc.

How do you feel about this? Are you scared or anxious? How does this information change your perception of maternal issues?

As we advance in this technology, it is becoming increasingly evident that our daily lives revolve around it, subconsciously shaping our perception of societal issues daily. Because of how much information we consume, we are all at risk of receiving wrong information.

Misinformation is not just a nuisance in the digital health landscape; it’s a serious threat. It can have a detrimental impact on mental health and lead to self-medication, posing a direct risk to public health.

Can digital misinformation be curbed? Yes. But how?

Understanding the scope and impact of misinformation in digital health.

Just like the myth surrounding how dangerous caesarean sections are to women, this misinformation can cause profound health implications, especially in delayed decision-making and, by extension, an increase in maternal mortality. These decisions against c-sections undermine the diligence of licensed healthcare providers, causing an increase in more complicated health issues.

Misinformation affects everyone. It is like a virus that can be widely spread; even when a cure is provided, people are still cautious. To avoid this, internet users must create a safe and better digital health environment as new technologies emerge.

Misinformation preys on our emotional and logical thinking, which is very dangerous. In the cases of pregnancy and childbirth, seeing testimonials of how people were able to scale the delivery process with the help of some herbs, feeding on the emotions of other expectant mothers, is bizarre. This social media uproar causes unnecessary fear and creates a belief system against C-sections.

This dynamic shows a need for policies that guide what we watch and read online. We must promote accurate information and allow individuals to make informed decisions about their health.

How Can Policies Promote Safe Digital Health?

Identifying the current policies in digital health is imperative for creating and implementing digital health policies.

A significant way wrong information is disseminated is through social media platforms. Each social media platform has its peculiar guidelines and policies that protect the information being communicated, and this brings me to the point that there is no unified policy guiding all social media platforms-Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.

Using the dangers of cesarean sections as a case study, it is possible for a social media post to go viral and remain on the internet even after it has been flagged off or corrected, which can be potentially harmful. Also, algorithms in most social media platforms prioritise creative content that generates high engagement, even if the content is misleading.

Another gap in digital health policies is the lack of accountability for victims of health misinformation. There is little or no compensation to individuals directly affected, and social media platforms shield themselves from the harm already caused on their various platforms. This behaviour leads to people questioning their trust in most health information and health workers.

These two significant gaps can be bridged and worked on if the following solutions can be implemented.

1. Implementation of the Unified Rapid Response Team: A team or task force of healthcare providers created to combat misinformation, especially in the health sector across social media and other communicable platforms, is one of the fastest ways to reduce misinformation on the World Wide Web. This group, consisting of experts in health communication, digital health, and public health, will work with all social media platforms on a directive of organisations such as The World Health Organisation and Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) and government bodies to ensure immediate removal of information, viral or not, manage misinformation-induced crisis and work on health policies that would be used to manage misinformation in all of healthcare.
2. Launching a Global Health Information Certification and License for individuals and Groups: To promote a healthier, informed world, it is just right to assign credible certificates to health organisations and individuals that will champion accurate information to the masses. The introduction of these certificates, which will be awarded based on a rigorous evaluation of the entity’s adherence to health information standards, will enhance trust and reliability, and it will be easy to filter out incorrect details from others. An individual or organisation must meet specific criteria to earn the certificate, including a commitment to continuous learning and adherence to ethical standards. It will also be renewable, so there will always be capacity building.
3. Health Literacy Campaigns and Improving Partnerships: Acknowledging and tackling misinformation is not a one-person job. Collaboration with various health organisations and promotion of education in schools, social communities, and religious houses are essential to curb cultural and socially relevant misinformation and dangerous myths and aid a healthier world, such as information about childbirth practices, delivery methods, vaccination, etc.
4. Enforcing accountability and strengthening regulations: The government needs to implement stronger penalties for the constant spread of health misinformation. Health professionals who are also involved in these hideous crimes should face professional sanctions, which will enable them to be accountable and focus on upskilling in practice. Also, social media platforms should disclose algorithms that promote harmful health content and help limit how much digital health misinformation is dispersed. If there is accountability, there will be significant progress in managing misinformation.
5. Develop Strong health policies and leverage technology in their implementation: Digital platforms should partner with trusted health organisations like the WHO, CDC, etc., to make sure content is verified, leveraging technology such as AI and cloud tech to achieve and also have data stored for metrics and predictive analysis. This will aid in advocacy for stronger health policies as there is a real-fact-checking process, flagging misinformation introduced and can enable users to identify misinformation as well.

Digital health misinformation affects everyone, young or old. As we advance in technology, it is essential that we protect information and communication across all digital forms. The case scenario used in the misinformation of the caesarean section is just one of the many myths online that must be debunked to improve our digital health. Creating a unified policy approach that promotes reliable information is important to build trust and diligence for health workers. This will encourage individuals to make informed decisions on every healthcare need. These actionable steps address the policy gaps and promote better public health across all healthcare sectors.