Online misinformation regarding COVID-19 has undermined public health efforts to control the novel coronavirus. To date, public health organizations’ efforts to counter COVID-19 misinformation have ...focused on identifying and correcting false information on social media platforms. Citing extant literature in health communication and psychology, we argue that these fact-checking efforts are a necessary, but insufficient, response to health misinformation. First, research suggests that fact-checking has several important limitations and is rarely successful in fully undoing the effects of misinformation exposure. Second, there are many factors driving misinformation sharing and acceptance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic—such as emotions, distrust, cognitive biases, racism, and xenophobia—and these factors both make individuals more vulnerable to certain types of misinformation and also make them impervious to future correction attempts. We conclude by outlining several additional measures, beyond fact-checking, that may help further mitigate the effects of misinformation in the current pandemic.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
There has been rapid integration of telehealth into care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about technology ownership, internet access and use for communication, and ...telehealth availability among cancer survivors, particularly those enrolled in Medicare.
This study aims to identify sociodemographic associations with technology ownership, internet access and use for communication, and telehealth availability in a population-based sample of Medicare-enrolled cancer survivors.
Data are from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey COVID-19 Summer 2020 Supplement administered between June 10 and July 15, 2020. Analyses were restricted to beneficiaries who reported a prior (nonskin) cancer diagnosis and a usual source of care (N=2044). Dichotomous outcomes included technology ownership, internet access, internet use for communication, and telehealth availability from providers. Sociodemographic correlates included sex, age, race/ethnicity, Medicare/Medicaid dual enrollment, rurality, census region, and self-reported comorbidities.
Over half (957/2044, 53%) of cancer survivors reported using the internet for communication purposes, and 62% (1218/2044) reported that their usual provider had telehealth services available. Using the internet for communication purposes was reported less frequently for rural compared to urban survivors (adjusted probability of 28% vs 46%; P<.001) and for Hispanic and Black survivors compared to non-Hispanic White survivors (29%, 31%, and 44%, respectively; all P<.01). Rural survivors reported lower telehealth availability (53% vs 63%; P<.001); no significant differences in telehealth availability were identified by race/ethnicity.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, study findings highlight a complex digital divide among Medicare beneficiaries with a history of cancer related to device ownership necessary for telehealth, internet access and use for communication, and reports of providers having telehealth available. Multilevel approaches are needed to increase equitable telehealth availability and use for cancer survivors. Suggested strategies include increasing broadband internet access to providers and patients in at-risk communities, supporting telehealth implementation among providers that serve populations with known health disparities, raising awareness of providers' available telehealth services among patients, and screening for technology use and provision of telehealth-related technical assistance among older and historically underserved cancer survivors.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Vaccination against infectious disease has been recognized as one of the "Ten Greatest Public Health Achievements" of the 20th century, given the substantial impact immunizations have had globally ...across a range of diseases, including polio, influenza, pneumonia, measles, mumps, rubella, viral hepatitis, pertussis, and oncogenic human papillomarvirus.1 Populationlevel vaccination programs have resulted in significant declines of new cases of disease, decreased morbidity and mortality, lower health care costs, and improved productivity.1 However, despite the proven clinical and cost effectiveness of vaccination, vaccines have not yet achieved their full potential, as rates of immunization among children and adults remain suboptimal, leading to a resurgence ofsome infectious diseases (e.g., measles).
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CEKLJ, DOBA, FSPLJ, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
To better understand cancer clinical trials (CCT) information-seeking, a necessary precursor to patient and provider engagement with CCT.
Data from the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information ...Service (CIS) were used to examine CCT information-seeking patterns over a 5-year period. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine characteristics of CIS inquiries and their associations with having a CCT discussion.
Between September 2018 – August 2023, 117,016 CIS inquiries originated from cancer survivors, caregivers, health professionals, and the general public; 27.5 % of these inquiries included a CCT discussion (n = 32,160). Among CCT discussions, 35.5 % originated from survivors, 53.5 % from caregivers, 6.1 % from the public, and 4.9 % from health professionals. Inquiries in Spanish had lower odds of a CCT discussion (OR=.26, .25–.28), whereas inquiries emanating from the CIS instant messaging (OR=2.29, 2.22–2.37) and email (OR=1.24, 1.18–1.30) platforms were associated with higher odds of discussing CCT compared to the telephone. Individuals who were male, younger, insured, and had higher income and education had significantly higher odds of a CCT discussion while those who were non-Hispanic Black and living in rural locales had significantly lower odds.
Disparities in CCT information-seeking may contribute to downstream CCT participation.
Quality, language-concordant health information is needed to enable equitable awareness of – and ultimately engagement in – CCT.
•CIS inquiries show patterns of cancer clinical trials (CCT) information-seeking.•Over one-quarter of all CIS inquiries included a discussion of CCT.•CIS access channel and language of the inquiry predicted odds of a CCT discussion.•CCT discussions differed by several sociodemographic characteristics.•Accessible health information that enhances equitable CCT awareness is a priority.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Rural communities experience health disparities, including elevated incidence and mortality of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers and correspondingly low HPV vaccination rates. There are ...numerous policy strategies that are available at multiple levels - patient, provider, clinic, community, state, and national - to address geographic, clinical, and communication barriers to HPV vaccination across rural America. Examples include policy development, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare provider and clinic-based assessment and education initiatives; school entry requirements; school, pharmacy, and community-based vaccination programs; evidence-based, community-driven communication efforts; and increased interventional research in rural communities. Strategically implemented policy measures will contribute to reduction in the incidence and mortality from HPV-related cancers through increased access to HPV vaccination in our rural communities.
Purpose
In this study, we examined the association of financial hardship measured by material financial burden and financial toxicity with health insurance literacy and numeracy among colorectal ...cancer survivors. The lack of evidence on the impact of cost-related health literacy, specifically health insurance literacy and numeracy, on financial toxicity among cancer survivors warrants further research.
Methods
Between January and November 2019, we used a cross-sectional research design to collect surveys from 104 colorectal cancer survivors (diagnosed within last 5 years) from the Kentucky Cancer Registry. Survey items assessed health insurance literacy (measured by confidence and behaviors in choosing and using health insurance), numeracy, material financial burden, and financial toxicity, in addition to socio-demographic variables. Survey data were subsequently linked to the participant’s cancer registry record. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses.
Results
The mean financial toxicity score was 24.5, with scores ranging from 3 to 43 (higher scores indicating greater financial toxicity). Eighty percent of participants indicated they had experienced one or more material burdens related to their cancer. The majority had adequate health insurance (79%); however, the majority also had low numeracy (84%). After controlling for socio-demographic covariates, significant predictors of greater financial toxicity were high material burden scores, low health insurance literacy, and low numeracy.
Conclusions
Findings indicate the need to develop programs and interventions aimed at improving health insurance literacy and numeracy as a strategy for reducing financial toxicity and hardships among colorectal cancer survivors.
Health Information in 2023 (and Beyond) Klein, William M. P.; Chou, Wen-Ying Sylvia; Vanderpool, Robin C.
JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association,
09/2023, Volume:
330, Issue:
12
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
This Viewpoint describes how health communication science can be used to improve response to health challenges by providing credible health information to the public.
Social media (SM) have fundamentally changed the way we exchange information, including how we communicate about health. The goal of this study was to describe current prevalence and predictors of SM ...use by analyzing nationally representative data from the 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Multivariate logistic regression models examined the odds of engaging in four SM activities: visiting social networking sites, sharing health information on SM, participating in online support groups, and watching health-related videos. In 2019, approximately 86% of Internet users reported engaging in at least one SM activity. Younger age and female gender were associated with higher likelihood of engaging in all SM activities. No significant ethnic/racial disparities were observed for most SM activities, but Hispanics were found to be more likely to report watching health-related videos. Additionally, those with regular health care access were more likely to participate in online support groups. Previous HINTS survey cycles were also used to examine change in SM use over time, showing that general SM use has increased substantially since 2007, but the use of SM for health-related purposes has not increased to the same extent. The dynamic and evolving nature of SM makes systematic assessment vital. Knowledge of current SM use patterns could make health communication efforts more effective and equitable.
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BFBNIB, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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