What Journalists Should Know About the Impact of COVID-19 Misinformation on Americans
The COVID-19 pandemic marks a historic event in our technologically advanced era. While past pandemics have impacted millions, the constant media coverage surrounding COVID-19 has thrust this crisis into the forefront of our collective consciousness. Beyond its medical implications, the pandemic has also evolved into a battleground for political discourse, with leaders clashing over public policy and differing interpretations of medical guidance.
Healthcare professionals are facing a daunting challenge as they cope with an abundance of medical literature while also feeling the pressure from the media and society to navigate unfamiliar territories with precision. At the same time, the public is bombarded with information from numerous sources, some of which lack credibility. In today's era of instant global communication, misinformation presents a serious threat, spreading quickly and potentially harming vulnerable communities.
Previously Existing Anti-Vaccine Sentiment Has Been Amplified and Politicized
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened preexisting distrust in the medical establishment, due to continued health misinformation.
Peter Hotez, the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and a vaccine researcher, encountered health misinformation firsthand when his daughter was diagnosed with autism. Refuting the unfounded claims blaming vaccines, Hotez authored the book Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism: My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician, and Autism Dad in 2018. In the book, Hotez illustrates how a rare genetic mutation, not vaccines, led to his daughter's repetitive behaviors and communication difficulties. Numerous studies have consistently debunked the notion of a link between vaccines and autism. Before, it was mostly groups selling phony autism cures and anti-vaccine conspiracy books, but once the pandemic came about, vaccines became politicized.
Political conflict and media coverage surrounding COVID-19 have made certain segments of the public more susceptible to misinformation about vaccines. Attitudes toward vaccination vary from outright refusal to immediate acceptance. Since the early stages of vaccine development, polls have shown a significant portion of the US population to be vaccine-resistant, unwilling to get vaccinated once available. Many are also vaccine-hesitant, preferring to wait until others have been vaccinated. Importantly, vaccine resistance and hesitancy are influenced by evolving information, the epidemic's status, and individual characteristics.
Willingness to Believe Misinformation Influenced by Individuals' Political Affiliations
Because misinformation targeting vaccines has been pervasive throughout the pandemic, false claims ranging from alleged sudden deaths to exaggerated health risks have circulated widely. These falsehoods extend to misinformation about the vaccine's development, safety, and efficacy. Significantly, attitudes toward the vaccine and susceptibility to false claims have shown distinct partisan divides. According to KFF polling, Republicans are more inclined than Democrats to believe false claims regarding COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines.
Furthermore, KFF findings indicate a considerable contrast in vaccination intent between the two political parties, with only a quarter of Republicans planning to receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine compared to nearly three-quarters of Democrats. This partisan discrepancy mirrors broader patterns observed throughout the pandemic.
Who Do People Trust for Health Information?
A recent study conducted by the KFF targeted how health information has significantly permeated society. One of the questions was about who people turn to when being informed about anything health related. Doctors had the highest level of trust amongst people surveyed, with 93% expressing at least some level of trust in their own doctors’ recommendations. Approximately two-thirds of respondents exhibit at least a fair amount of trust in the Centers for Disease Control (67%) and the Food and Drug Administration (65%) regarding health recommendations.
Democrats tend to trust these agencies more than independents or Republicans, with around half of Republicans expressing trust in both the CDC (49%) and FDA (54%). Trust in social media sources was markedly lower. Roughly a quarter (24%) of adults use social media weekly to seek health information or advice, with higher usage among Hispanic and Black adults and individuals in low-income households. Among specific social media platforms, half (52%) would trust health information from YouTube to some extent. Trust levels are lower for Facebook (40%), Twitter (29%), and Instagram (27%), with fewer than one in ten expressing a lot of trust in health information from any social media source.
Moving forward, combating health misinformation and vaccine hesitancy requires a multifaceted approach. It demands continued efforts from healthcare professionals, policymakers, and tech companies to promote accurate information, foster trust, and address the underlying factors contributing to vaccine resistance. Ultimately, building trust in credible sources and fostering open, transparent communication will be key in navigating the complex landscape of health information in the post-pandemic world.
