Countering Abortion Misinformation: Navigating the Infodemic
The World Health Organization's (WHO) concept of an "infodemic" has gained resonance as we witness the harmful impact of false or misleading information on public health—look no further than the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic was rife with misinformation, from false “self tests” to the efficacy of ivermectin as a treatment, to whether or not vaccines were safe and effective.
Now a new infodemic looms on the horizon—this time concerning abortion. With the reversal of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the dissemination of misinformation surrounding abortion is escalating, and its potential implications on maternal health and well-being cannot be ignored. The ramifications of misinformation surrounding abortion are particularly concerning due to the already complex and deeply personal nature of reproductive health decisions.
The abortion infodemic presents unique challenges. The legislative ambiguity in states like Texas and Oklahoma regarding abortion communication has made providing accurate information a legal risk. Some states even proposed laws that prohibit the distribution of evidence-based abortion information. Additionally, deep stigma surrounding abortion complicates public discourse, making it difficult for accurate information to reach those who need it most: Marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable to the abortion infodemic due to disparities in healthcare access, trust, and information availability. Therefore, an inclusive and equitable approach is vital to ensure accurate information reaches all those affected. Usually, people who are already part of marginalized communities or who stand at the intersection of more than one marginalized community—such as women of color, trans men of color, and people living in poverty—are unable to find the information they need and more vulnerable to misinformation campaigns.
The misinformation surrounding abortion includes myths about abortion's effects on mental health, claims of regret after abortion, false risks associated with the procedure, and the effectiveness of so-called "reversal" procedures.
Efforts to address these myths must be comprehensive and informed by public health research. An agenda and a plan to address each individual factor is crucial: researchers must focus on surveillance to track misinformation spread; assessment of the impact of misinformation on attitudes and behaviors toward and concerning reproductive health; developing health communication interventions to reverse the impact of misinformation; understanding contextual factors influencing intervention effectiveness (i.e. abortion laws in the state, access to broadband or research materials, concurring opinions from local medical professionals), and exploring preventive measures to stop misinformation from getting out in the first place.
The challenges posed by the abortion infodemic underscore the importance of trustworthy sources of information. Medical professionals and community leaders play a vital role in countering misinformation and providing accurate information to patients. However, their efforts can be hampered by legislative restrictions and intimidation, as well as prominent figures spreading misinformation to the public—such as when former President Donald Trump undermined the effectiveness of wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal funding to combat this problem must support constant research addressing evolving misinformation and focus on mitigating the negative impacts of misinformation on patients, healthcare providers, and policy makers. This research can also help develop strategies to help pregnant individuals make better informed healthcare decisions and mitigate inequity in the U.S. healthcare system.
Reproductive health information is now more important than ever after the fall of Roe v. Wade. The abortion conversation in the U.S. has been toxic and rife with lies and intimidation tactics and undoing that damage will take focused effort and specific steps to work against a rising tide of bad actors.
