Publications by authors named "Shalini Sivanandam"
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was a devastating public health event that spurred an influx of misinformation. The increase in questionable health content was aided by the speed and scale of digital and social media and certain news agencies' and politicians' active dissemination of misinformation about the virus. The popularity of certain COVID-19 myths created confusion about effective health protocols and impacted trust in the health care and government sectors deployed to manage the pandemic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The rampant spread of misinformation about COVID-19 has been linked to a lower uptake of preventive behaviors such as vaccination. Some individuals, however, have been able to resist believing in COVID-19 misinformation. Further, some have acted as information advocates, spreading accurate information and combating misinformation about the pandemic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Chronic conditions need ongoing care, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted this access, particularly for Americans aged 50 and older.
- A survey conducted during the pandemic revealed that individuals with an established primary care provider were significantly more likely to access healthcare and medications.
- Factors such as age, income, and caregiving responsibilities influenced healthcare access, with older individuals and those with higher incomes having better access, while those with caregiving duties and social isolation faced challenges.