Publications by authors named "Malavika Radhakrishnan"
Article Synopsis
- Health misinformation on social media can lead to serious health issues, but there's limited research on effective interventions to tackle it in real time.
- This study introduces infodemiologists, trained professionals applying evidence-based intervention techniques to counter misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines on Facebook.
- The research monitored interactions on posts with misinformation across three regions, evaluating the effectiveness of infodemiologists' interventions through engagement metrics like replies and reactions, using statistical methods to analyze the impact.
Article Synopsis
- - The study explored vaccine hesitancy in US-based Black and Latinx online communities, focusing on historical and current racism, medical mistrust, and concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
- - Participants expressed strong fears about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, with individual concerns being more prominent than broader issues of structural or historical racism.
- - The findings suggest that tackling personal fears and doubts is crucial to addressing vaccine hesitancy, while also recognizing the potential role of structural racism in encouraging a sense of community protection.
Researchers have linked circulating misinformation in online platforms to low COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Two disparate literatures provide relevant initial guidance to address the problem. Motivational Interviewing (MI) effectively reduces vaccine hesitancy in clinical environments; meanwhile, social scientists note inoculation, rebuttal, and appeals to accuracy are persuasive in digital contexts.
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