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Thursday, December 19, 2024

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Republicans reject spending bill under pressure from Trump and Musk; TX group works to give Latinos seat at table in fight against methane; Clean Trucks Campaign touts benefits of electric vehicles for PA; Child labor in agriculture is a growing concern in FL.

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House Republicans nix bipartisan budget agreement at President-elect Donald Trump is urging. Republicans breakdown priorities of Trump's first 100-day agenda and, the House Ethics Committee votes to release its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Health misinformation vs. science: Can you tell the difference?

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Tuesday, January 23, 2024   

In Arkansas and across the country, public health experts say the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline in vaccination rates.

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

Dr. Monica Wang, associate professor of community health at Boston University's School of Public Health, said these falsehoods spread faster than the truth -- with damaging results.

"This health misinformation spread can erode trust in health-care systems. It can lead to people delaying when they go to a doctor to seek help," she said.

Wang added social media algorithms are keeping users in so-called "information silos," with no exposure to
credible health sources or even contradictory views. She said without robust regulation of misinformation content, individuals are left to discern what is true.

Studies show misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine has cost the United States up to $300 million a day in health-care and economic losses since 2021.

It has also contributed to an estimated 300,000 preventable deaths of unvaccinated people. With COVID-19 cases increasing, Wang said scientists can also use social media to create health content and regain the public's trust.

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

Wang added social-media users should look for health information from established medical institutions and avoid content making sensational medical claims. And when in doubt, don't share information that lacks scientific credentials.


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