Low-quality health information poses a significant challenge to health communication practice. Therefore, a better understanding of the quality of online information and its consequences for health is needed to inform approaches for effectively communicating evidence-based cancer information to the public.
Several key research questions include:
- What is the prevalence of low-quality cancer-related information on social media platforms?
- What are the real-world consequences of exposure to online health information?
- How do different populations access and respond to online health information?
- How do individuals process and assess information quality and source credibility when interacting with social media content? What factors are most salient in determining information trustworthiness?
- What are the most effective ways to meet people's cancer information needs and foster health and science literacy?
Funding Opportunities
Title | Announcement # | Expiration Date | Contact |
---|---|---|---|
Innovative Approaches to Studying Cancer Communication in the New Information Ecosystem |
PA-25-294 (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) PA-25-295 (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) |
September 08, 2025 |
240-281-5934 |
AJPH special issue about social media health information
NCI partnered with the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) to publish a special issue highlighting cutting-edge research that addresses critical issues surrounding health information on social media. Published on October 1, 2020, the special issue showcases diverse approaches to a rapidly expanding research area and addresses topics such as unproven cancer treatments and rumors about emerging infectious diseases.
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Where We Go From Here: Health Misinformation on Social Media
Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou, Anna Gaysynsky, and Joseph N. Capella -
Who Is Susceptible to Online Health Misinformation?
Laura D. Scherer and Gordon Pennycook -
Correction as a Solution for Health Misinformation on Social Media
Emily K. Vraga and Leticia Bode -
Misinformation About Commercial Tobacco Products on Social Media-Implications and Research Opportunities for Reducing Tobacco-Related Health Disparities
Andy S.L. Tan and Cabral A. Bigman -
Using a Global Pandemic as a Teachable Moment to Promote Vaccine Literacy and Build Resilience to Misinformation
Robin C. Vanderpool, Anna Gaysynsky, and Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou -
Concrete Recommendations for Cutting Through Misinformation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Joan Donovan -
Roles for Health Care Professionals in Addressing Patient-Held Misinformation Beyond Fact Correction
Brian G. Southwell, Jamie L. Wood, and Ann Marie Navar -
Ethical Considerations for Digitally Targeted Public Health Interventions
Daniel Susser -
Social Media and Cancer Misinformation: Additional Platforms to Explore
Eric R. Walsh-Buhi