WHO public health research agenda for managing infodemics

Abstract

An “infodemic” is an overabundance of information – some accurate and some not – that occurs during an epidemic. It spreads between humans in a similar manner to an epidemic, via digital and physical information systems. It makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it. An infodemic is propagated by the fundamentally interconnected ways in which information is disseminated and consumed: through social media platforms, online and through other channels. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is exacerbated by the global scale of the emergency. During epidemics, more so than in normal times, people need accurate information so that they can adapt their behaviour and protect themselves, their families and their communities against infection. Infodemics affect citizens in every country and addressing them is a new and centrally important challenge in responding to disease outbreaks. The current COVID-19 infodemic, given its scale and profile, is an important opportunity to find and adapt new preparedness and response tools.