Health Misinformation and Trust
New and NOTEWORTHY
Concerns Over Fluoride in Water and Free Speech Violations – KFF Health Misinformation Monitor
This volume of the Monitor explores the growing opposition to water fluoridation, how misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines is influencing public health policies and trust in health authorities, and the balance between free speech and mitigating health misinformation.
Latest News
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Readers Embrace ‘Going It Alone’ Series on Aging and Chastise Makers of Pulse Oximeters
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Does Fluoride Cause Cancer, IQ Loss, and More? Fact-Checking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Claims
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Scientists Fear What’s Next for Public Health if RFK Jr. Is Allowed To ‘Go Wild’
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Qué le depara a la salud pública si se confirma Robert F. Kennedy Jr. como secretario de Salud
Misinformation Pilot Poll
Most Americans Encounter Health Misinformation and Are Often Uncertain Whether It’s True
This 2023 survey captures the broad reach of health misinformation, with at least four in 10 people saying that they’ve heard each of 10 specific false claims about COVID-19, reproductive health, and gun violence. At the same time, roughly half to three-quarters of the public are uncertain whether each of the 10 false claims are true or not, describing them as either “probably true” or “probably false.” This suggests that even when people don’t believe false claims they hear, it can create uncertainty about complicated public health topics.
