Abstract
Public health echo chambers in a time of mistrust and misinformation
Brittany Seymour, DDS, MPH1, Natalie Gyenes, MPH2, Ethan Zuckermn1, Hal Roberts, MS3 and Fernado Bermejo, PhD, MA2
(1)Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, (2)Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard, Cambridge, MA, (3)Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
Background:
With digitization and simultaneous democratization of the global information landscape, plus declining trust in media and health institutions, misinformation is pervasive. Audiences are forming homophilic social networks, reinforcing opportunities for selecting information that conforms to pre-existing beliefs, a phenomenon known as the echo chamber.
Methods:
We used Media Cloud, an open access global archive of 5+ billion sentences from a set of 25,000 online information sources to conduct three mass media case studies: Ebola, Zika, and vaccines. We conducted keyword searches within defined date ranges and sets of sources. We downloaded every source and story containing the keywords and created a digital information network for each topic. We performed quantitative analyses of network characteristics to determine information authorities within each information network.
Results:
Sub-communities formed within each topic network based on linking behavior between sources and common language use. Each sub-community relied on a separate set of sources and modes of authority for most of its information. Each information network contained a distinct, isolated public health sub-community. Conflicting information was common between public health sub-communities and others in the networks.
Conclusion:
Preliminary findings indicate health echo chambers exist, with public heath sources linking primarily to other public health sources, reaching audiences beyond public health sub-communities less frequently. Public health was largely unsuccessful in driving evidence-based information network narratives around any of our case study topics. Preference-based framing models and increased civic engagement may assist in regaining public participation and trust for improved evidence-based communication across sub-communities online, toward normative bridging between health echo chambers.
Advocacy for health and health education Communication and informatics Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Lessons Learned in Climate and Health Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Elena Grossman, MPH1, Emily York, MPH2, Dorette English, MA3 and Matthew Roach, MPH4
(1)University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, (2)Oregon Health Authority, Portland, OR, (3)California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, (4)Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
Since 2012, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has funded 18 Climate and Health Grantees to build the capacity of public health systems to plan and prepare for climate change. The grantees have identified many challenges related to communicating climate change and engaging stakeholders within their jurisdictions. As a result, they created a community of practice (CoP) focused on communications and stakeholder engagement. Through this forum, members identified many challenges that arise due to the number of target audiences, diversity of stakeholder groups, and the complexity of the topic. As a result, the CoP conducted a survey to better understand current communications activities, challenges, and needs. The survey results describe members’ perceived primary audience, effective messages, messengers, communication methods, existing internal capacity, and resource gaps. Findings through this inter-agency collaboration thus far describe effective climate and health communications as: (1) expanding beyond conventional preparedness and risk communication methods, framing climate change as a risk-multiplier that affects all areas of public health practice, (2) focusing on the public health workforce and decision-makers as a primary audience, (3) using stories, visuals, and simple solution-oriented language to build climate and health literacy, and (4) using a “Health in All Policies” approach to advance cross-sector collaboration. Each of these methods will be discussed in detail and illustrated with examples from various climate and health grantees across the country.
Advocacy for health and health education Communication and informatics Environmental health sciences Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related education Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Communicating with Native Audiences About Health Disparities: Interviews with Health Journalists
Rachel Young, MPH, PhD1, Amanda Hinnant, PhD2, Rokeshia Ashley, MS2 and Roma Subramanian, PhD3
(1)University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, (2)University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, (3)University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
Background: American Indians and Alaska Natives have shorter average life expectancies than every other racial or ethnic group in the United States. They also have higher rates of chronic diseases such as cirrhosis and diabetes and higher rates of death from homicide and suicide. The goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of health journalists’ perceptions of and approaches to coverage of these health disparities for Native audiences.
Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with health journalists (n = 24) who target Native audiences.
Results: Native media outlets such as newspapers and radio shows cover health topics for Native audiences and from within Native cultures. Journalists shared that a lack of data specific to different tribal affiliations makes it difficult to quantify health disparities for Native audiences. They were also conscious of the balance between accurately conveying bleak statistics on health outcomes and fostering hope by focusing on successes and solutions. Some also endorsed the urgent need to focus on solutions at outer levels of the ecological model, articulating links between improved physical and mental health and programs like language or cultural immersion.
Conclusion: Understanding the particular challenges and opportunities in reporting on health disparities will help public health practitioners better engage with journalists who serve Native audiences.
Diversity and culture
Abstract
From climate change to vaccination safety: Teaching information literacy in an undergraduate epidemiology course
Amy Dailey, PhD, MPH and Meggan Smith
Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
“Fake news” and “alternative facts” are now ubiquitous terms. Teaching information and scientific literacy is essential if we expect students to become well-informed citizens prepared to navigate today’s digital landscape, political climate, and 24-hour cable news cycle. A professor and a research librarian designed assignments over the course of the semester to address the following information literacy outcomes in an undergraduate epidemiology class. Students should be able to: 1) Examine and compare information from various sources in order to evaluate accuracy, authority, currency, and point of view; 2) Recognize the cultural, physical, or other context within which information is created and how that context impacts interpretation; 3) Evaluate information and explore multiple perspectives while maintaining an open mind and critical stance; 4) Recognize that information may be perceived differently based on the format in which it is presented and 5) Investigate differing viewpoints encountered in the literature and determine whether or not to incorporate or reject these ideas. Student decision-making was evaluated at baseline using Screencast-O-Matic, a free online tool to record student searches. Students were prompted with a scenario in which they were asked to find reputable information on climate change and health to settle a family argument. Additional case studies with strong scientific consensus (e.g. vaccinations and autism), yet politically controversial, were used. Baseline and end-of-semester rubric scores will be compared. Individual assignment rubrics used to determine if students achieved all learning outcomes will be shared. At minimum this approach engaged undergraduates in scientific discussions around climate change and vaccination safety.
Public health or related education