International Aspects of the COVID-19 Infodemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (5S) ◽  
pp. 572-580
Author(s):  
Oksana A. Pivovarova ◽  
Sergej J. Gorbatov ◽  
Ekaterina О. Korotkova ◽  
Natalya N. Kamynina
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
World Health ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Response Measures ◽  
The Media ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
International Aspects ◽  
Strict Selection

At present, the speed and scale of the dissemination of false health information has increased significantly, due to the Internet and social networks, which has become a serious problem and challenge for the worlds public health systems. The issue of spreading implausible news has become most acute against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since February 2020, the World Health Organization has introduced the term infodemiс, which characterizes the rapid growth of unreliable and false reports of a pandemic by analogy with the spread of the virus. The purpose of this article is to study the issues of the emergence and ways of spreading misinformation about health, to consider approaches for taking effective response measures in the conditions of infodemiс. The article was prepared using a systematic review of research publications based on strict selection criteria in the bibliographic databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, as well as online resources that addressed the issues of dissemination and countering false information in the field of healthcare. Countering disinformation needs to be done through correcting information, purposeful refutations based on evidence, implementing initiatives to improve the media literacy of the population, as well as by improving the supervision of social networks. Coordinated interaction between governmental and international organizations, the scientific community, the media, and global Internet social media platforms is crucial in this process.

scholarly journals The Role of Twitter in the WHO’s Fight against the Infodemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11990
Author(s):  
Daniel Muñoz-Sastre ◽  
Luis Rodrigo-Martín ◽  
Isabel Rodrigo-Martín
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
World Health ◽  
False Information ◽  
World Health Assembly ◽  
The World ◽  
Twitter Account ◽  
The Media ◽  
Health Organization

The COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching consequences in various fields. In addition to its health and economic impact, there are also social, cultural and informational impacts. Regarding the latter, the World Health Organization (WHO) flagged concerns about the infodemic at the beginning of 2020. The main objective of this paper is to explore how the WHO uses its Twitter profile to inform the population on vaccines against the coronavirus, thus preventing or mitigating misleading or false information both in the media and on social networks. This study analyzed 849 vaccine-related tweets posted by the WHO on its Twitter account from 9 November 2020 (when the 73rd World Health Assembly resumed) to 14 March 2021 (three months after the start of vaccination). In order to understand the data collected, these results were compared with the actions carried out by the WHO and with the information and debates throughout this period. The analysis shows that the WHO is decidedly committed to the use of these tools as a means to disseminate messages that provide the population with accurate and scientific information, as well as to combat mis- and disinformation about the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination process.

Myths about COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 907-912
Author(s):  
Deepika Masurkar ◽  
Priyanka Jaiswal
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Common People ◽  
The World ◽  
New Type ◽  
The Media ◽  
Personal Level ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
The Common ◽  
Health Organization

Recently at the end of 2019, a new disease was found in Wuhan, China. This disease was diagnosed to be caused by a new type of coronavirus and affected almost the whole world. Chinese researchers named this novel virus as 2019-nCov or Wuhan-coronavirus. However, to avoid misunderstanding the World Health Organization noises it as COVID-19 virus when interacting with the media COVID-19 is new globally as well as in India. This has disturbed peoples mind. There are various rumours about the coronavirus in Indian society which causes panic in peoples mind. It is the need of society to know myths and facts about coronavirus to reduce the panic and take the proper precautionary actions for our safety against the coronavirus. Thus this article aims to bust myths and present the facts to the common people. We need to verify myths spreading through social media and keep our self-ready with facts so that we can protect our self in a better way. People must prevent COVID 19 at a personal level. Appropriate action in individual communities and countries can benefit the entire world.

scholarly journals How Loud and Clear Rung the Alarm Bell: The Communication Efforts of WHO on the Beginning of COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110249
Author(s):  
Huriye Toker
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
International Development ◽  
International Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
News Releases ◽  
The Media ◽  
Credible Information ◽  
Health Organization

As seen clearly from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health is an important foreign policy and diplomatic issue connected with security, economic well-being, and international development. According to risk communication researchers, effective, transparent, and timely information sharing is the most important tool after vaccines for responding to pandemics. This study aims to start a scholarly discussion on the risk communication efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the COVID-19 outbreak. We analyzed WHO’s communication efforts during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the leading international health organization, WHO was responsible for providing rapid, up-to-date, and credible information for the public and the media. The selected research items were 42 news releases and statements provided by WHO between December 31, 2019, and March 30, 2020. These were subjected to qualitative and quantitative content analyses using the NVivo 12 qualitative analysis software program for coding. The data were coded under 6 variables (date of publication, topics, frequency, wording of the COVID-19 outbreak, sourcing, and themes of the releases). While 54.7% of WHO's communications were devoted to the COVID-19 outbreak, more than half were not issued until March. That is, instead of early risk communication and clear warnings about the outbreak, WHO acted overcautiously, preferring messages related to solidarity and cooperation during the most devastating pandemic of the 21st century.

scholarly journals Tuberculosis registration rates analysis and prediction based on exponential smoothing model: could tuberculosis control milestones be achieved in 2020, 2025 in Henan province, China?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanqiu Zhang ◽  
Xinxu Li ◽  
Weibin Li ◽  
Jianguo Jiang ◽  
Guolong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Information Management System ◽  
Exponential Smoothing ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Henan Province ◽  
World Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Response Measures ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy meant that compared with 2015 baseline, the reduction in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) incidence should be 20% and 50% in 2020 and 2025, respectively. The case number of PTB in China accounted for 9% of the global total in 2018, which ranked the second high in the world. From 2007 to 2019, 854,672 active PTB cases were registered and treated in Henan Province, China. We need to assess whether the WHO milestones could be achieved in Henan Province.Methods: The active PTB numbers in Henan Province from 2007 to 2019, registered in Chinese Tuberculosis Information Management System (CTIMS) were analyzed to predict the active PTB registration rates in 2020 and 2025, which is conductive to early response measures to ensure the achievement of the WHO milestones. The time series model was created by monthly active PTB registration rates from 2007 to 2016, and the optimal model was verified by data from 2017 to 2019. Monthly active PTB registration rates and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 2020 to 2025 were predicted.Results: High active PTB registration rates in March, April, May and June showed the seasonal variations. The exponential smoothing winter’s multiplication model was selected as the best-fitting model. The predicted values were approximately consistent with the observed ones from 2017 to 2019. The annual active PTB registration rates were predicted as 49.1 (95% CI: 36.2-62.0) and 34.4 (95% CI: 18.6-50.2) per 100,000 population in 2020 and 2025, respectively. Compared with the active PTB registration rate in 2015, the reduction will reach 23.7% (95% CI: 3.2%-44.1%) and 46.8% (95% CI: 21.4%-72.1%) in 2020 and 2025, respectively.Conclusions: The high active PTB registration rates in spring and early summer indicate that high risk of tuberculosis infection in late autumn and winter in Henan Province. Without regard to the confidence interval, the first milestone of WHO End TB Strategy in 2020 will be achieved. However, the second milestone in 2025 will not be easily achieved unless there are early response measures in Henan Province, China.

scholarly journals Pandemic 2011: coming soon to a location near you.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Sacco
Keyword(s):  
Media Coverage ◽  
World Health ◽  
First Case ◽  
The World ◽  
Spanish Flu ◽  
Seasonal Flu ◽  
The Media ◽  
One Year ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Lower Death Rate

"H1 N1 is a virus that has been sensationalized by the media since the first case was discovered in Mexico during the spring of 2009. People around the world feared that the virus would mutate into something as severe as the 1918 Spanish flu, one of the deadliest plagues in history. However experts had discovered by June of 2009 that the Spanish flu was not comparable to H1 N1. Yet for six months newspaper reporters continued to compare the ew epidemic to the Spanish flu, thus keeping alive the threat of an unstoppable pandemic. One year has passed since the first case of H1 N1 was confirmed. After all of the attention that H1 N1 received, it proved to be not much different than a typical seasonal flu, resulting in a lower death rate (Schabas and Rau, 2010). Recently, a number of investigations have begun to determine if the World Health Organization (WHO) overemphasized the level of risk, resulting in a large quantity of sensationalized media coverage, and citizens in a state of panic.

The Asian Tsunami: Pan-American Health Organization Disaster Guidelines in Action in India

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 310-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobhojit Roy
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
World Health ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
The Media ◽  
Pan American ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractIntroduction:On 26 December 2004, an earthquake (9.0 Richter, 10 kilometers below the sea) near Sumatra, Indonesia, triggered a tsunami, which traveled at approximately 800 km per hour to strike the Indian coastline. The disaster response at a 100-bed hospital situated on the beach front (2,028 km from the epi-center) is described.This paper underlines the benefit of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Natural Disasters in the Indian setting.Methods:The demand on the healthcare system in the affected study area (50 km2, 40,000 population) was assessed in terms of preparedness, response time, casualties, personnel, and resources. Other disaster issues studied included: (1) the disposal of the dead; (2) sanitation; (3) water supply; (4) food; (5) the role of the media; and (6) rehabilitation. Two hospital paramedics administered a disaster-related questionnaire in the local language to the victims (or an accompanying person) upon arrival at the hospital. Personalinterviews with administrative officials involved in incident management, aid, volunteers, and response, also were conducted.The outreach programs consisted of medical camps, health education, re-chlorination of contaminated drinking water, and spraying bleaching powder on wet floor areas.Results:The total death toll in the area was 62 (with 56, four, and two bodies being recovered on Day 1, 2, and 3 respectively). There were 17 deceased males and 45 females. The bodies immediately were handed over to the relatives upon identification or sent to the mortuary. The attendance in the makeshift accident-and-emergency department on the day of the Tsunami was 219, surged to 339 patients on Day 2, and returned to baseline census on Day 7. Essentially, injuries were minor, and two children with pulmonary edema secondary to salt-water drowning recovered fully. The hospital was cleaned of debris and seaweed on Day 3 and the equipment was restored, but it remained only partially functional. This is because many staff members did not come to work because of rumors that another tsunami was imminent.There were no outbreaks of water-borne illnesses. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms such as panic attacks, nightmares, insomnia, fear of water, being startled by loud sounds, and palpitations were detected in 17% of the patients.Conclusions:After an event, medical rescue personnel often are instructed by well-meaning authorities to conduct interventions and response, which have high visibility in the media. However, strictly adhering to the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization guidelines proved to be cost-effective in terms of resource allocations and disaster responses in the Tsunami-affected areas. Unnecessary mass vaccinations, mass disposal of dead bodies without identification, and an influx of untrained volunteers were avoided. Inappropriate aid by developed nations often is unmindful of the victims'needs and self-esteem. The survivors demonstrated natural coping mechanisms and resilience, which only required time and psychosocial support.

scholarly journals Women’s advice to healthcare professionals regarding breastfeeding: “offer sensitive individualized breastfeeding support”- an interview study

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Blixt ◽  
Margareta Johansson ◽  
Ingegerd Hildingsson ◽  
Zoi Papoutsi ◽  
Christine Rubertsson
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
World Health ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Breastfeeding Support ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
Women’S Perceptions ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary food up to 2 years of age or beyond. Few women achieve this recommendation in Sweden, and they often stop breastfeeding earlier than they would like. Investigating women’s advice to healthcare professionals is important for the provision of optimal breastfeeding support. The aim of this study was to explore women’s advice to healthcare professionals regarding support for continuing to breastfeed for at least 6 months. Methods This investigation used an exploratory study design, and a purposive sample of women was recruited between 2015 and 2016 through social media platforms. The work is a follow-up of an earlier study exploring women’s perceptions of the factors that assisted them in breastfeeding for at least 6 months. Telephone interviews were conducted with 139 Swedish women who reported that they had breastfed for at least 6 months. Women were asked the question, “Do you have any advice that you would like to give to healthcare professionals regarding breastfeeding support?”. The data were analysed using content analysis. Results The theme, “Professionals need to offer women sensitive, individualized breastfeeding support to promote a positive breastfeeding experience”, describes the women’s advice based on five categories: 1) providing evidence-based care, 2) preparing expectant parents during pregnancy, 3) creating a respectful and mutual dialogue, 4) offering individual solutions to breastfeeding problems, and 5) offering practical support. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of professionals providing evidence-based breastfeeding support in a sensitive and individualized manner. This consideration is an important prerequisite to strengthening women’s self-confidence and assisting them in reaching their breastfeeding goals, which may enhance the positive nature of their breastfeeding experience.

scholarly journals The World Health Organization in Crisis—Lessons to be Learned Beyond the Ebola Outbreak

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadja Meisterhans
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Legal Theory ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Democratic Reform ◽  
The World ◽  
The Media ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Do So

Blaming the World Health Organization (who) for its failures in the Ebola crisis was a common reaction of the media. However, exclusively denouncing the who for the spread of Ebola falls short as it does not recognize the structural deficits of those recent governance procedures financing global health that lead to a chronic underfunding of the who. Against this background, the article reflects perspectives of a democratic reform of global health funding. It concludes that only the who can provide a leadership on global health matters, but to do so it depends on states willing to rebuild the who’s capacities to act. To address the global health crisis properly, the revitalization of who’s constitutional mandate is critically necessary. The discussion is based on normative legal theory, which argues that processes of globalization have transformed international law into a global rule of law, placing specific duties on states and international institutions.

scholarly journals Global surveillance of emerging diseases: the ProMED-mail perspective

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (suppl) ◽  
pp. S147-S154 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Woodall
Keyword(s):  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
The Media ◽  
Infectious Disease Specialists ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control ◽  
Official Sources

The Internet is changing the way global disease surveillance is conducted. Countries and international organizations are increasingly placing their outbreak reports on the Internet, which speeds up distribution and therefore prevention and control. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the value of nongovernmental organizations and the media in reporting outbreaks, which it then attempts to verify through its country offices. However, WHO and other official sources are constrained in their reporting by the need for bureaucratic clearance. ProMED-mail <www.promedmail.org> has no such constraints, and posts outbreak reports 7 days a week. It is moderated by infectious disease specialists who add relevant comments. Thus, ProMED-mail complements official sources and provides early warning of outbreaks. Its network is more than 20,000 people in over 150 countries, who place their computers and time at the network's disposal and report on outbreaks of which they have knowledge. Regions and countries could benefit from adopting the ProMED-mail approach to complement their own disease surveillance systems.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Content and Logistics of this Special Edition on Building and Leveraging Ecosystems and Clusters

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Boni ◽  
Moira Gunn
Keyword(s):  
Media Coverage ◽  
World Health ◽  
Director General ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Global Media ◽  
The Media ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Respiratory Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the global media: “WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.”1 While the existence, transmissibility, treatment, and potential impact of severe acute respiratory coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 were real questions since the virus was first recognized in December, 2019,2 much of the media coverage was driven by global public health concerns and international/national political posturing. However, it was a different date that catalyzed commercial biotechnology.

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