The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies recently hosted a webinar exploring how misinformation contributes to the growing loss of trust in health systems. Four experts shared their insights on addressing this critical issue.
The first was Rachel Greenley, a research fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. Consultant to the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the World Health Organisation. She recently published a book exploring the role of trust as the basis of health systems.
“When people lose trust in the system, they are less likely to use it. Health systems rely on credibility and trust, and we must examine the factors that weaken this trust — as the pandemic did, exposing its fragility,” she said.
She stated that misinformation is accelerating this decline and increasing distrust, as is happening with vaccines, leading to lower health outcomes, increased suffering for health workers and a collapse in the effectiveness of policies.
“We must consider what we can do differently next time with more transparent initiatives and acknowledge that 21st-century disinformation cannot be fought with 20th-century tactics,” she stressed.
Reforming Systems
Greenley emphasised the importance of addressing the social determinants of health by reducing inequities and ensuring universal access to care. Innovation should focus on building flexible, technology-supported systems that empower patients and healthcare providers. Additionally, recruiting, retaining, and strengthening healthcare professionals should be prioritised while ensuring the sustainability of these efforts.
Svitlana Nidzvetska, guest lecturer of global health at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine, detailed a polio case in the country managed with a “horizontal, collaborative approach, using clear messages despite being in a war context.” She emphasised that, even amid the chaos, “health authorities provided quality information.”
Sheena Cruickshank, PhD, an immunologist and professor of biomedical sciences and public engagement at the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom, has published several articles on vaccine communication. She emphasised that public information is often incomplete or unnecessarily alarming. “The best available scientific evidence should be communicated while considering diversity and utilising video and social media,” she suggested.
Emotion Over Evidence
Yuxi Wang, PhD, a Marie Curie fellow at the French Institute for Demographic Studies, France, noted that health misinformation thrives on distrust in healthcare systems. “False content has always existed, but today, emotion often outweighs evidence. Emotional determinants play a key role, compounded by a structural crisis driven by social media algorithms, which appear to work against public health initiatives.”
Finland is often cited as an example of best practices, where children are taught critical thinking in school to help them discern useful information from false content. Wang also stressed the need for algorithmic changes to prioritise public interest and hold individuals accountable for the spread of misinformation.
Wang highlighted the lack of equal access to information as a key challenge, noting that fear and anxiety increase during crises, making empathy vital for communication.
Cruickshank stressed that “doctors and healthcare staff are key to building trust.”
“The doctor-patient conversation is typically rational, but effective communication should also foster an emotional connection and greater empathy,” Wang concluded.
This story was translated from El Medico Interactivo using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.