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Bollyky TJ, Petersen MB. A practical agenda for incorporating trust into pandemic preparedness and response. Bull World Health Organ 2024; 102:440-447. [PMID: 38812800 PMCID: PMC11132164 DOI: 10.2471/blt.23.289979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite widespread acknowledgement that trust is important in a pandemic, few concrete proposals exist on how to incorporate trust into preparing for the next health crisis. One reason is that building trust is rightly perceived as slow and challenging. Although trust in public institutions and one another is essential in preparing for a pandemic, countries should plan for the possibility that efforts to instil or restore trust may fail. Incorporating trust into pandemic preparedness means acknowledging that polarization, partisanship and misinformation may persist and engaging with communities as they currently are, not as we would wish them to be. This paper presents a practical policy agenda for incorporating mistrust as a risk factor in pandemic preparedness and response planning. We propose two sets of evidence-based strategies: (i) strategies for ensuring the trust that already exists in a community is sustained during a crisis, such as mitigating pandemic fatigue by health interventions and honest and transparent sense-making communication; and (ii) strategies for promoting cooperation in communities where people mistrust their governments and neighbours, sometimes for legitimate, historical reasons. Where there is mistrust, pandemic preparedness and responses must rely less on coercion and more on tailoring local policies and building partnerships with community institutions and leaders to help people overcome difficulties they encounter in cooperating with public health guidance. The regular monitoring of interpersonal and government trust at national and local levels is a way of enabling this context-specific pandemic preparedness and response planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Bollyky
- Council on Foreign Relations, 1777 F Street, NW, Washington, DC20006, United States of America
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Schüz B, Jones C. [Mis- and disinformation in social media: mitigating risks in digital health communication]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2024; 67:300-307. [PMID: 38332143 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-024-03836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Misinformation and disinformation in social media have become a challenge for effective public health measures. Here, we examine factors that influence believing and sharing false information, both misinformation and disinformation, at individual, social, and contextual levels and discuss intervention possibilities.At the individual level, knowledge deficits, lack of skills, and emotional motivation have been associated with believing in false information. Lower health literacy, a conspiracy mindset and certain beliefs increase susceptibility to false information. At the social level, the credibility of information sources and social norms influence the sharing of false information. At the contextual level, emotions and the repetition of messages affect belief in and sharing of false information.Interventions at the individual level involve measures to improve knowledge and skills. At the social level, addressing social processes and social norms can reduce the sharing of false information. At the contextual level, regulatory approaches involving social networks is considered an important point of intervention.Social inequalities play an important role in the exposure to and processing of misinformation. It remains unclear to which degree the susceptibility to belief in and share misinformation is an individual characteristic and/or context dependent. Complex interventions are required that should take into account multiple influencing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Schüz
- Institut für Public Health und Pflegeforschung, Universität Bremen, Grazer Straße 4, 28359, Bremen, Deutschland.
- Leibniz-WissenschaftsCampus Digital Public Health, Bremen, Deutschland.
| | - Christopher Jones
- Institut für Public Health und Pflegeforschung, Universität Bremen, Grazer Straße 4, 28359, Bremen, Deutschland
- Leibniz-WissenschaftsCampus Digital Public Health, Bremen, Deutschland
- Zentrum für Präventivmedizin und Digitale Gesundheit (CPD), Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim der Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland
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Azoulay E, Pochard F, Argaud L, Cariou A, Clere-Jehl R, Guisset O, Labbé V, Tamion F, Bruneel F, Jourdain M, Reuter D, Klouche K, Kouatchet A, Souppart V, Lautrette A, Bohé J, Vieillard Baron A, Dellamonica J, Papazian L, Reignier J, Barbier F, Dumas G, Kentish-Barnes N. Resilience and Mental-Health Symptoms in ICU Healthcare Professionals Facing Repeated COVID-19 Waves. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209:573-583. [PMID: 38163380 PMCID: PMC10919111 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202305-0806oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Psychological resilience (the ability to thrive in adversity) may protect against mental-health symptoms in healthcare professionals during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) waves. Objectives: To identify determinants of resilience in ICU staff members. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey in 21 French ICUs, staff members completed the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (for post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]). Factors independently associated with resilience were identified. Measurements and Main Results: The response rate was 73.1% (950 of 1,300). The median 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale score was 29 (interquartile range, 25-32). Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD were present in 61%, 39%, and 36% of staff members, respectively. Distress associated with the COVID-19 infodemic was correlated with symptoms of depression and PTSD. More resilient respondents less often had symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Greater resilience was independently associated with male sex, having provided intensive care during the early waves, having managed more than 50 patients with COVID-19, and, compared with earlier waves, working longer hours, having greater motivation, and more often involving families in end-of-life decisions. Independent risk factors for lower resilience were having managed more than 10 patients who died of COVID-19, having felt frightened or isolated, and greater distress from the COVID-19 infodemic. Conclusions: This study identifies modifiable determinants of resilience among ICU staff members. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether prior resilience decreases the risk of mental ill health during subsequent challenges. Hospital and ICU managers, for whom preserving mental well-being among staff members is a key duty, should pay careful attention to resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Azoulay
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
| | - Frédéric Pochard
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
| | - Laurent Argaud
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Alain Cariou
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Cochin University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France
| | | | - Olivier Guisset
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint-André Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Labbé
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Tenon University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Tamion
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Fabrice Bruneel
- Intensive Care Unit, André Mignot Hospital, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Mercé Jourdain
- Intensive Care Unit, Lille University Hospital-Roger Salengro Site, INSERM, Lille, France
| | - Danielle Reuter
- Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Sud Francilien Hospital, Corbeil, France
| | - Kada Klouche
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Lapeyronie University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Achille Kouatchet
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Virginie Souppart
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
| | | | - Julien Bohé
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Lyon Sud, Lyon, France
| | - Antoine Vieillard Baron
- Intensive Care Unit, Ambroise-Paré University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Jean Dellamonica
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, UR2CA Clinical Research Unit, Côte d'Azur University, Nice, France
- Nice University Hospital, Nice, France
| | - Laurent Papazian
- Respiratory and Infectious Diseases Intensive Care Unit, Marseille-Nord University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Reignier
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, UR 4334 Movement-Interactions-Performance Research Unit, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France; and
| | - Francois Barbier
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, La Source Hospital, Orléans Regional Hospital, Orléans, France
| | - Guillaume Dumas
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
| | - Nancy Kentish-Barnes
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
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Dong E, Nixon K, Gardner LM. A population level study on the determinants of COVID-19 vaccination rates at the U.S. county level. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4277. [PMID: 38383706 PMCID: PMC10881504 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54441-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple COVID-19 vaccines were proven to be safe and effective in curbing severe illness, but despite vaccine availability, vaccination rates were relatively low in the United States (U.S.). To better understand factors associated with low COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the U.S., our study provides a comprehensive, data-driven population-level statistical analysis at the county level. We find that political affiliation, as determined by the proportion of votes received by the Republican candidate in the 2020 presidential election, has the strongest association with our response variable, the percent of the population that received no COVID-19 vaccine. The next strongest association was median household income, which has a negative association. The percentage of Black people and the average number of vehicles per household are positively associated with the percent unvaccinated. In contrast, COVID-19 infection rate, percentage of Latinx people, postsecondary education percentage, median age, and prior non-COVID-19 childhood vaccination coverage are negatively associated with percent unvaccinated. Unlike previous studies, we do not find significant relationships between cable TV news viewership or Twitter misinformation variables with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. These results shed light on some factors that may impact vaccination choice in the U.S. and can be used to target specific populations for educational outreach and vaccine campaign strategies in efforts to increase vaccination uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensheng Dong
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
- Center for Systems Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
| | - Kristen Nixon
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Center for Systems Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Lauren M Gardner
- Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Center for Systems Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Liu X, Zhang L, Sun L, Liu R. Survival analysis of the duration of rumors during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:519. [PMID: 38373928 PMCID: PMC10875786 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17991-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic towards the end of 2019 triggered a relentless spread of online misinformation, which significantly impacted societal stability, public perception, and the effectiveness of measures to prevent and control the epidemic. Understanding the complex dynamics and characteristics that determine the duration of rumors is crucial for their effective management. In response to this urgent requirement, our study takes survival analysis method to analyze COVID-19 rumors comprehensively and rigorously. Our primary aim is to clarify the distribution patterns and key determinants of their persistence. Through this exploration, we aim to contribute to the development of robust rumor management strategies, thereby reducing the adverse effects of misinformation during the ongoing pandemic. METHODS The dataset utilized in this research was sourced from Tencent's "Jiao Zhen" Verification Platform's "Real-Time Debunking of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia" system. We gathered a total of 754 instances of rumors from January 18, 2020, to January 17, 2023. The duration of each rumor was ascertained using the Baidu search engine. To analyze these rumors, survival analysis techniques were applied. The study focused on examining various factors that might influence the rumors' longevity, including the theme of the content, emotional appeal, the credibility of the source, and the mode of presentation. RESULTS Our study's results indicate that a rumor's lifecycle post-emergence typically progresses through three distinct phases: an initial rapid decline phase (0-25 days), followed by a stable phase (25-1000 days), and ultimately, an extinction phase (beyond 1000 days). It is observed that half of the rumors fade within the first 25 days, with an average duration of approximately 260.15 days. When compared to the baseline category of prevention and treatment rumors, the risk of dissipation is markedly higher in other categories: policy measures rumors are 3.58 times more likely to perish, virus information rumors have a 0.52 times higher risk, epidemic situation rumors are 4.86 times more likely to die out, and social current affairs rumors face a 2.02 times increased risk. Additionally, in comparison to wish rumors, bogie rumors and aggression rumors have 0.26 and 0.27 times higher risks of dying, respectively. In terms of presentation, graphical and video rumors share similar dissolution risks, whereas textual rumors tend to have a longer survival time. Interestingly, the credibility of the rumor's source does not significantly impact its longevity. CONCLUSION The survival time of rumors is strongly linked to their content theme and emotional appeal, whereas the credibility of the source and the format of presentation have a more auxiliary influence. This study recommends that government agencies should adopt specific strategies to counter rumors. Experts and scholars are encouraged to take an active role in spreading health knowledge. It's important for the public to proactively seek trustworthy sources for accurate information. Media platforms are advised to maintain journalistic integrity, verify the accuracy of information, and guide the public towards improved media literacy. These actions, collectively, can foster a collaborative alliance between the government and the media, effectively combating misinformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Liu
- School of Languages and Communication Studies, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- School of Languages and Communication Studies, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Lixiang Sun
- School of Languages and Communication Studies, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Ran Liu
- School of Medical Humanities and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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