Were you able to attend any sessions in the NNLM Virtual Symposium on Health Misinformation in early April? If not, the recordings are now available on their YouTube channel. I was able to attend several sessions live, and here are some highlights I thought were interesting:
- The US Surgeon General's office created a great toolkit that anyone can use to address health misinformation within their community.
- While medical professionals frequently encounter patients who believe medical misinformation, they aren't necessarily equipped with the tools to counter it. Medical libraries can help provide them with training so they're better prepared to educate their patients in a clinical setting.
- Neither the US Constitution nor Federal Law protect harmful actions just because there is speech involved. Freedom of speech allows you to say whatever you want, BUT if you're making money on your false claims or someone gets hurt because of them, you absolutely can face legal consequences.
- Libraries can effectively promote online health literacy by focusing on reaching the persuadable, leading with evidence-based facts, providing digestible and targeted information, coordinating strategies to counter myths, and using personal anecdotes to help create a connection with the intended audience. Remember that building relationships and mutual trust will take time.
- Did you know that Pfizer is based in Kalamazoo, MI? I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't until this symposium.
- Have you heard of Wisconsinliteracy.org? They work to advance various literacy initiatives within our state through community outreach, trainings, and other resources. Their health literacy page is a fantastic resource.
- Uncertainty and complexity are inherent parts of science, but the public doesn't necessarily understand that. Some misinformation arises because science/medicine change over time as we learn more. Things we used to think were helpful are now killing people.
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