In his first advisory as U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy said that an “epidemic of misinformation and disinformation” is impairing the country’s response to the COVID pandemic.
“As of late May, 67% of unvaccinated adults had heard at least one COVID-19 vaccine myth and either believed it to be true or were not sure of its veracity,” Murthy said. “Health misinformation has already caused significant harm, dividing families and communities and undermining vaccination efforts.”
Telling media that such misinformation is risking lives, Murthy said there is an “urgent need for technology and social media companies to address the way misinformation and disinformation spread on their platforms.”
To help guide action “limiting the spread of health misinformation,” Murthy released a 22-page report that advises addressing misinformation “super-spreaders” and using educational institutions, from elementary school settings through college, as well as private funders, to “monitor and address” false and misleading information.
The Rockefeller Foundation wasted no time in responding by announcing $13.5 million in new funding to help with the effort.
SOURCES:
MSN News July 15, 2020
HHS.gov July 15, 2021
HHS Advisory 2021