This article presents the results of a World Health Organization (WHO) online technical consultation to determine a framework for managing infodemics during health emergencies.
A group of policy makers, public health professionals, researchers, media representatives, private sector organizations, and other key stakeholders gathered virtually to discuss best practices for creating an infodemic management network. Participants offered 594 ideas for actions that an analysis team distilled into a set of 50 proposed actions in 5 themes:
- Identify and verify evidence
- Explain science
- Amplify the reach of messages
- Quantify impact
- Coordinate and govern
Additionally, from this consultation, the analysis team identified six policy implications that should be considered:
- Interventions and messages must be based on science and evidence, and must reach citizens and enable them to make informed decisions to protect themselves and their communities
- Knowledge should be translated into actionable behavior-change messages and presented in easily understandable and accessible ways
- Governments should tailor messages to audiences and follow-up to assess understandability
- Strategic partnerships should be formed across all sectors to strengthen the analysis and amplification of information impact
- Health authorities should ensure that actions are informed by reliable information
- Infodemic management approaches should be developed to support preparedness and response, to inform risk mitigation, and be enhanced through data science and sociobehavioral research