Below are the citation and extracts of a new Comment in Lancet Planetary Health
CITATION: Narayan S, Conway M, Rudolph L et al.
The imperative to counter fossil fuel industry disinformation for public health
The Lancet Planetary Health, 2026;
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(26)00008-2/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_aip_email
'Despite claims of being climate solution leaders, fossil fuel companies continue to spend billions on lobbying and disinformation to delay meaningful climate action. The medical and public health community is uniquely positioned at the forefront of the battle against fossil fuel disinformation, and their role has never been more crucial. As some of the most trusted voices in society, health professionals hold a powerful influence over public opinion and policy, making them essential advocates for truth and health. However, the growing tide of fossil fuel industry disinformation, aimed at confusing the public, deflecting responsibility, and delaying action, threatens to erode the foundation of this trust and the ability of the health community to advocate on climate-related health threats. Therefore, it is imperative for health professionals to take a proactive, united stand in countering this influence.
'The public health community’s fight against the tobacco industry provides crucial lessons for confronting fossil fuel disinformation. Just as the tobacco industry manipulated science and public opinion to downplay the dangers of smoking, the fossil fuel industry uses similar tactics to cast doubt on climate change and hinder progress. The victory over tobacco was achieved through scientific integrity, legal action, public awareness campaigns, and strong regulation10—strategies that can serve as a blueprint for addressing fossil fuel disinformation. Health professionals should leverage their unique power and apply these lessons to the climate crisis by promoting evidence-based policies, ensuring transparency in research, and educating the public on the health risks of fossil fuels...
'The fossil fuel industry, like the tobacco industry before it, shows a dismaying proclivity to prioritise profits over public health. Its disinformation campaigns have delayed action on climate change and exacerbated the health impacts of fossil fuel pollution. The stakes are high, but the lessons from the past offer a clear path forward: transparency, accountability, and unwavering commitment to public health are key to overcoming the disinformation and securing a healthier and just future.'
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org