Dear HIFA colleagues,
From WHO: https://epi-win.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/d/DA8926A4132A3F102540EF23F30FED...
Extracts below and a comment from me.
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The WHO policy brief on COVID-19 infodemic management outlines key actions for countries to consider when developing infodemic management policies, focusing on opportunities for strengthening and supporting such a network of actors.
The policy brief on infodemic management can be used by health authorities to support the development of a comprehensive infodemic management strategy, adapted to their country that leverages these activities efficiently. The brief highlights the importance of equipping health workers with skills to address health misinformation and the need for designated infodemic management teams to generate rapid actionable insights for health systems.
The policy brief is available in all official WHO languages.
The key points in the policy brief:
1. Train health workers, who are often the most trusted source of health information, to better identify and address health misinformation.
2. Tailor health, information and digital literacy initiatives to specific populations, and seek to debunk misinformation before it is widely disseminated through digital media and other channels.
3. Strive to develop high-quality, accessible health information in different digital formats designed for reuse, remixing and sharing and for rapid digital spread through social networks.
4. Establish an infodemic workforce for rapid infodemic insights generation and response, if necessary, by training staff to fulfil these functions; and ensure this function is clearly linked to and aligned with risk communications and community engagement efforts.
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COMMENT (NPW): I cannot help thinking that the best approach to fighting misinformation must be to improve the availability and use of reliable healthcare information, and to guide people to be able to differentiate reliable information from misinformation. This challenge goes way beyond 'developing high-quality, accessible health information in different digital formats'. A comprehensive, whole-system approach is needed to strengthen the global healthcare information system *as a whole*. This is the rationale for HIFA, whose remit is to foster communication, understanding and advocacy among all stakeholders in the system. We look forward to build on our past achievements [ https://www.hifa.org/about-hifa/achievements ] and take the next steps as described in our Strategic Plan and WHO Collaboration Plan 2022-2024. https://www.hifa.org/about-hifa/hifa-vision-mission-strategy
Best wishes, Neil
Let's build a future where every person has access to reliable healthcare information and is protected from misinformation - Join HIFA: www.hifa.org
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of the HIFA global health movement (Healthcare Information For All - www.hifa.org ), a global community with more than 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting on six global forums in four languages in collaboration with WHO. HIFA brings stakeholders together to accelerate progress towards universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK based non-profit in official relations with the World Health Organization.
Twitter: @hifa_org neil@hifa.org
