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Featured workshop of the month: Identifying and Combating Health Misinformation
Wednesday, March 16 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Register for this virtual workshop*
“Health misinformation is a serious threat to public health. It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm people’s health, and undermine public health efforts. Limiting the spread of health misinformation is a moral and civic imperative that will require a whole-of-society effort.” –Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General
Most health professionals are keenly aware of the scale of the global health misinformation problem. The anti-vaccination movement is a prime example of the potential power that health misinformation has to convince huge numbers of people and sway health outcomes at a population level. This is far from the only such example. Prolific misinformation about almost any health topic can easily be found online, and the worst misinformation can be both highly convincing and extremely dangerous.
This workshop will provide a high-level overview of the health misinformation landscape. We will cover what health misinformation is, where it comes from, how it spreads, and what its tangible impacts are on individuals and society in general. Then, we will discuss what individual health professionals can do to counter misinformation in various contexts, focusing on evidence-based methods. For example, attendees will learn tips and best practices for correcting misinformation they might come across on social media as well as when interacting with patients.
This class is for anyone who is concerned about the impacts of health misinformation, whether they are a student, faculty member, or staff member. Although tailored toward current and future health professionals, many of the practical strategies discussed in this class can also be applied by anyone to any type of misinformation. It is our hope that participants will leave this class feeling more empowered to join the “whole-of-society effort” required to curtail the spread of health misinformation.
If you are unable to attend, this scheduled session can also be repeated upon request. Request a customized session of “Identifying and Combating Health Misinformation” and other HSLS workshops for your course, group, or department.
Contact Ask a Librarian to find out more.
*HSLS classes are open to University of Pittsburgh faculty, staff, and students, as well as UPMC residents and fellows. A valid email address is required to register.
~Marissa Spade