Strengthening scientific credibility against misinformation and disinformation: Where do we stand now?

ABSTRACT

Health behaviors related to COVID-19 prevention measures, especially vaccination, are used to exemplify mechanisms whereby misinformation and disinformation can spark an "infodemic" a situation in which false information can spread more rapidly and widely than its truthful, science-based counterpart. We define key terminologies and identify potential sources that led to the pandemic infodemic, and highlight the harmful implications of such events. Issues related to scientific communication, how the public perceives information, and factors influencing individuals' decision-making are also discussed. This is the first in a series of two perspective articles on this topic.