The impact of misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic

Maria Mercedes Ferreira Caceres; Juan Pablo Sosa; Jannel A Lawrence; Cristina Sestacovschi; Atiyah Tidd-Johnson; Muhammad Haseeb UI Rasool; Vinay Kumar Gadamidi; Saleha Ozair; Krunal Pandav; Claudia Cuevas-Lou; Matthew Parrish; Ivan Rodriguez; Javier Perez Fernandez; Maria Mercedes Ferreira Caceres; Juan Pablo Sosa; Jannel A Lawrence; Cristina Sestacovschi; Atiyah Tidd-Johnson; Muhammad Haseeb UI Rasool; Vinay Kumar Gadamidi; Saleha Ozair; Krunal Pandav; Claudia Cuevas-Lou; Matthew Parrish; Ivan Rodriguez; Javier Perez Fernandez

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2022018

AIMS Public Health

2022, Volume 9, Issue 2: 262-277. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2022018

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Review Special Issues

The impact of misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic

1.
Division of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, Florida, USA
2.
Department of Medicine, American University of Antigua, Coolidge, Antigua
3.
Family Medicine, Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus, Hialeah, Florida, USA
4.
Family Medicine, Larkin Community Hospital South Campus, Miami, Florida, USA
5.
Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus, Hilaeah, Florida, USA

Received: 25 November 2021 Revised: 20 December 2021 Accepted: 04 January 2022 Published: 12 January 2022

Since the inception of the current pandemic, COVID-19 related misinformation has played a role in defaulting control of the situation. It has become evident that the internet, social media, and other communication outlets with readily available data have contributed to the dissemination and availability of misleading information. It has perpetuated beliefs that led to vaccine avoidance, mask refusal, and utilization of medications with insignificant scientific data, ultimately contributing to increased morbidity. Undoubtedly, misinformation has become a challenge and a burden to individual health, public health, and governments globally. Our review article aims at providing an overview and summary regarding the role of media, other information outlets, and their impact on the pandemic. The goal of this article is to increase awareness of the negative impact of misinformation on the pandemic. In addition, we discuss a few recommendations that could aid in decreasing this burden, as preventing the conception and dissemination of misinformation is essential.
- COVID-19,
- healthcare,
- misinformation,
- public health,
- social media
Citation: Maria Mercedes Ferreira Caceres, Juan Pablo Sosa, Jannel A Lawrence, Cristina Sestacovschi, Atiyah Tidd-Johnson, Muhammad Haseeb UI Rasool, Vinay Kumar Gadamidi, Saleha Ozair, Krunal Pandav, Claudia Cuevas-Lou, Matthew Parrish, Ivan Rodriguez, Javier Perez Fernandez. The impact of misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2022, 9(2): 262-277. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2022018

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Abstract

Since the inception of the current pandemic, COVID-19 related misinformation has played a role in defaulting control of the situation. It has become evident that the internet, social media, and other communication outlets with readily available data have contributed to the dissemination and availability of misleading information. It has perpetuated beliefs that led to vaccine avoidance, mask refusal, and utilization of medications with insignificant scientific data, ultimately contributing to increased morbidity. Undoubtedly, misinformation has become a challenge and a burden to individual health, public health, and governments globally. Our review article aims at providing an overview and summary regarding the role of media, other information outlets, and their impact on the pandemic. The goal of this article is to increase awareness of the negative impact of misinformation on the pandemic. In addition, we discuss a few recommendations that could aid in decreasing this burden, as preventing the conception and dissemination of misinformation is essential.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Daniel Canal, M.D., for his support. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Conflict of interest

All authors declare no conflicts of interest in this paper.

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