Tag

Health Communication

All articles tagged with #health communication

health1 month ago•12 min saved

Storytelling fuels vaccine hesitancy, shaping beliefs beyond facts

Vaccine-hesitant groups use dynamic, symbolic stories that frame vaccines as threats to autonomy and civil liberty, often decoupling medicine from vaccination. Facts alone struggle to shift beliefs because hesitancy arises from misinformation, the desire for social belonging, and lived experiences with medicine. Public health is increasingly adopting narrative strategies, but experts emphasize engaging with these stories, validating the concerns of marginalized communities, and teaching narrative literacy to counter misinformation while promoting respectful, informed dialogue.

via The Conversation|

#autonomy #health #health-communication

health1 month ago•14 min saved

Hype vs. evidence: ivermectin's cancer claims meet scientific scrutiny

Even with ongoing research, there is no solid evidence that ivermectin treats cancer in humans; a 2026 study that went viral faced criticism for lacking a control group and relying on patient self-reports and was issued an Expression of Concern. The article uses this case to show how science can trail social media buzz and celebrity endorsements, underscoring the need to interpret early findings cautiously, seek corroborating studies, and consult healthcare professionals before acting.

via The Conversation|

#cancer #health #health-communication

health3 months ago•4 min saved

Cancer risk messaging paired with counting drinks reduces alcohol intake, study finds

A large Australian study found that combining messaging that alcohol causes cancer with a simple action—counting every drink—most effectively reduced alcohol consumption over six weeks, outperforming other approaches. While results may not generalize everywhere, the findings support using cancer-risk information paired with actionable steps in public health education to curb drinking and its health risks.

via ScienceAlert|

#alcohol #behavior-change #cancer

health5 months ago•12 min saved

Misinformation could slow the next wave of cancer vaccines

Researchers are advancing personalized mRNA cancer vaccines that may transform cancer care, but the spread of misinformation—notably the turbo cancer myth tying COVID-19 vaccines to aggressive cancers—could erode public trust and hinder adoption; proactive, transparent science communication and clinician conversations are essential to realizing these vaccines’ potential.

via The Conversation|

#cancer-vaccines #health #health-communication

health5 months ago•5 min saved

US Measles Surge Tests Public Health Funding and Messaging

Experts say the Trump administration has failed to contain a measles outbreak that has surpassed 1,000 cases, citing funding cuts and weak public messaging that have hampered CDC surveillance and communication; while some localities like Spartanburg, SC, are expanding vaccination, national messaging remains controversial and experts argue that strengthening vaccination rates — not just surveillance — is necessary to end the outbreak, with proposals like expanded wastewater surveillance underfunded after Covid-era funding expired and Congress restoring only some CDC funding.

via The Guardian|

#cdc #health #health-communication

health6 months ago•4 min saved

Counting Drinks and Cancer Risk Messaging Cut Alcohol Use, Australian Study Finds

In a large Australian study, pairing a cancer-risk message about alcohol with a practical cue to count drinks significantly reduced participants’ alcohol consumption over six weeks, outperforming other messaging approaches.

via ScienceAlert|

#alcohol #australia #behavior-change

public-health8 months ago•6 min saved

California Appoints Former CDC Leaders to Lead Public Health Innovation

California, led by Governor Newsom, is launching PHNIX, a new initiative to modernize public health infrastructure and restore trust in science by involving former CDC leaders and experts to enhance innovation, collaboration, and communication at multiple levels, addressing federal retreat from science and fostering a resilient, data-driven public health system.

via California State Portal | CA.gov|

#california #cdc-officials #health-communication

advice10 months ago•2 min saved

Reader Urges Compassion Over False Cancer Hope Articles

A reader dealing with a relative's terminal cancer criticizes friends for sending unsolicited, often inaccurate cancer research articles that can cause pain rather than help, emphasizing the importance of trusting medical professionals for treatment information.

via Cleveland.com|

#advice #cancer #compassion

health1 year ago•5 min saved

Reddit Insights: Men’s Experiences with Vasectomy Pain and Regret

A study analyzing Reddit posts reveals that many men experience fear, regret, and persistent pain after vasectomy, challenging the perception of it being a largely risk-free procedure. The findings highlight the importance of transparent, nuanced communication about potential long-term outcomes to ensure truly informed consent, especially as online discussions increasingly influence health decisions.

via The Conversation|

#health #health-communication #online-forums

health3 years ago•7 min saved

"NIH Research Project Halted: Examining Potential Self-Censorship"

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has halted a research project called Advancing Health Communication Science and Practice, which aimed to study health communication and combat misinformation. The sudden reversal by the NIH's acting director, Larry Tabak, has raised concerns that the agency is censoring itself due to political pressures. The NIH has provided shifting and inconsistent explanations for the decision, leading to speculation that it is responding to the growing controversy over studying misinformation. The program, which had received favorable feedback and was expected to receive significant funding, is now in limbo, leaving researchers disappointed and concerned about the lack of communication from the agency.

via CBS News|

#censorship #health #health-communication