skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump pushes House GOP to pass his budget bill; Medicaid critical for maternal and infant health in rural CO; Fear of detention prevents some WA migrants from getting food; Report says many AL adults want college degrees but face barriers; MT Native leaders say civic engagement brings legislative wins.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Kristi Noem incorrectly defines habeas corpus during a Senate hearing. Senate passes a bipartisan bill to eliminate taxes on tips, and Native American civic engagement fosters legislative wins in the West.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

New Mexico's acequia irrigation system is a model of democratic governance, buying a house in rural America will get harder under the Trump administration's draft 2026 budget, and physicians and medical clinics serving rural America are becoming a rarity.

MO groups dispel online vaccination misinformation

play audio
Play

Wednesday, January 17, 2024   

Public health experts are saying the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline in vaccination rates and an increase in illness.

Surveys show the percentage of Americans who believe vaccines are unsafe has nearly doubled since 2021, as social media users have falsely claimed approved vaccines can cause autism, cancer or infertility.

Molly Crisp, senior communication strategist at the Missouri Foundation for Health, said public health departments should make sure they are partnering with trusted messengers to avoid damaging results.

"Whether that's working with community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, social media influencers, community leaders," Crisp outlined. "Whoever in the community is considered a trusted messenger, to make sure that everyone is getting the information they need to be healthy."

Crisp added Missourians are often not exposed to credible health sources, or even to contradictory views, due to online-use algorithms. She observed until more is done to fight misinformation, individuals are left to discern what is true. In 2021, Missouri Foundation for Health partnered with professional communications firms to help determine how to build confidence in COVID vaccines.

Studies show misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines has cost the U.S. up to $300 million a day in health care and economic losses since 2021. It's also contributed to an estimated 300,000 preventable deaths of unvaccinated individuals.

Monica Wang, associate professor of community health at Boston University, said with COVID-19 cases on the increase, scientists can also use social media to regain the public's trust.

"We as researchers can do a better job about communicating our science," Wang acknowledged. "That means we start communicating our results and our processes in language that's easy and accessible for everyday people to understand."

Wang urged social media users to look for health information from established medical institutions and avoid content making sensational health claims. She added when in doubt, do not share information lacking scientific credentials.

Disclosure: The Missouri Foundation for Health contributes to our fund for reporting on Gun Violence Prevention, Health Issues, Philanthropy, Reproductive Health. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The 2025 Florida hurricane season, from June 1 to Nov. 30, is predicted to be above average with 17 named storms. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

As Florida emergency response officials conduct their annual statewide hurricane preparedness exercise this week, emergency managers are grappling …


Health and Wellness

play sound

A new report showed programs serving domestic violence survivors in Ohio are stretched thin, with hundreds of people who need help being turned away …

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrants' rights advocates are voicing concerns that migrant communities in Washington may be avoiding visiting food banks or getting food assistanc…


Between 2010 and 2024, hackers were behind most health care data breaches, affecting 88% of the 732 million exposed patient records. (ryanking999/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

According to researchers from Michigan State University, Yale and Johns Hopkins, ransomware is now the leading culprit behind U.S. health data …

play sound

As Oregon legislators consider the possibility of allowing a nuclear reactor in Umatilla County, opponents rallied at the State Capitol this week to …

ArtReach St. Croix participates in Stillwater's annual Rivertown Fall Art Festival along the river in autumn. (Photo courtesy of ArtReach St. Croix)

Social Issues

play sound

By Frankie (Amy) Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servi…

Social Issues

play sound

Education is a major challenge for kids in foster care in Pennsylvania, according to a new report. Nearly 20,000 children and teens are served by …

Social Issues

play sound

North Dakota housing assistance offices helping with rent vouchers and discrimination cases are having to do more with less as federal changes take sh…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021