Misleading information about diseases

INTRODUCTION Summary False or misleading information about diseases, and illnesses. potential treatments and cures. vaccines. diets and cosmetic procedures are causing people to make decisions that could have dangerous consequences for their health. This type of information can spread through communities. within families. and between friends. Often, we’re trying to help — so we share information that seems helpful. But the truth is that information connected to health and medicine involves rigorous research and complex science. Advice might change as more research is undertaken, meaning even "official" advice from a few months ago might be out of date. When we rely on friends or internet searches for the best information, we might inadvertently be putting ourselves in harm’s way. Health misinformation is causing harm to individuals and to communities. but talking to one another about its impact can help slow the spread by prompting us to think twice about the information we’re reading and sharing. This toolkit will help you get started. What is health misinformation? – It is information that is false. inaccurate. or misleading according to the best available evidence at the time. Why are we all susceptible to being influenced by misinformation and why is it so tempting to share it? – We like to feel that we have new information that others don’t know. – We want to protect the people we care about. – We may be seeking explanations or wanting to share information that helps us make sense of events. – We want to feel connected to others. Tips for talking with your family, friends, and community about misinformation – Listen Empathize Point to credible sources Don’t publicly shame Use inclusive language Use this checklist every time you come across health-related content you are not sure about. [I Did you check with the CDC or local public health department to see whether there is any information about the claim being made? Cl Did you ask a credible healthcare professional such as your doctor or nurse if they have any additional information? INTRODUCTION Welcome When it comes to our health. Did you type the claim into a search engine to see if it has been verified by a credible source? Did you look at the " About Us" page on the website to see if you can trust the source? if you’re not sure. don’t share!

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