Pharmafile Logo

Health literacy in the time of COVID-19

In a time when much of the media’s focus is on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the differences in vaccination rates between various regions, countries, and socioeconomic groups, improving health literacy has never been more important.

COVID-19 has prompted an interest in microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, and public health never seen on this scale before. However, it has also further polarized the population when it comes to public health measures such as vaccines and face masks.

In a 2020 survey conducted in a nationally representative sample of 3,133 adults in the USA, 20% of respondents intended to decline a vaccine once available. The most important determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were distrust of the vaccine safety and general vaccine avoidance, as implied by not having had a flu shot in the last two years. Further, the authors noted that inconsistent risk messages from public health experts and elected officials may reduce vaccine uptake. Likewise, a survey conducted in Portugal in late 2020 identified having no intention of taking the flu vaccine and perception of the information provided as inconsistent and contradictory as two key factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitance. This indicates that clear, easy-to-understand, and consistent messaging is key to improving health literacy and fighting misinformation.

In addition to vaccine hesitancy, Vergara et al. (2021) highlighted that two even bigger challenges that public health authorities will be facing in the new normal are the “postmodern condition of information blast” and “the objectivity of the held truth.” We are looking at a brand-new type of epidemic–an “infodemic”–where fake news and false scientific claims are progressively spread.

However, identifying the problem is only the first step. The challenge is coming up with a solution.

Read the full article here.

This content was provided by Impetus Digital

Company Details

 Latest Content from  Impetus Digital 

Solving the Caregiver Crisis Through Technology

Curtis Khan, CEO and Founder of BookJane, discusses the ongoing caregiver crisis and how BookJane’s solutions and other digital technologies can help to close this gap. We also delve into how...

Therapeutic VR for Managing Pain & Improving Patient Outcomes

Ramsay Brown, CEO and Founder of Quol, delves into several different HealthTech topics, including the concept of VR therapeutics and the importance of incorporating behavioral science and neuroscience into VR solutions, as...

Visual Storytelling in HealthTech

Rodney Hu, founder of 209|Digital and a popular podcast host. We explore Rodney’s work within the HealthTech space and what he believes has to happen for the healthcare industry to more...

Leveraging Digital Technologies to Create Valuable KOL Engagements & Empower Patients

Sandra Graham-Mason, Director of Marketing at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals discusses a variety of topics, from the impact of COVID-19 on the way that Pharma teams interact with internal stakeholders and KOLs to...

Roles of Neuroscience & AI in Solving Complex Healthcare Challenges

Dr. Phillip Alvelda, CEO and Co-Founder of Brainworks, discusses all things artificial intelligence and machine learning. We also explore the concepts of whole-brain AI systems and ambient biometrics, and how AI-enhanced vital...

“Fishbowl” Web Meeting for Internal POA Discussions: a Customer Story

Learn how our client successfully carried out a set of three virtual plan of action (POA) discussions, including one internal “Fishbowl” web meeting.

Harnessing Technology to Improve Health and Healthcare

Steven Collens, Chief Executive Officer at MATTER, discusses his professional journey, his work to empower digital health technology startups, and how MATTER is helping businesses define their challenges, identify solutions, and innovate...

Telemedicine and the Digitization of Medicine post COVID-19

Samantha Lippolis, Telehealth Advisor at Sam I am Innovates; Dr. Daniel Fagbuyi, CEO of Erudition; Dr. Brian Block, Health Care Consultant at Brian Block Consulting; Mindy Klowden, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare...

Innovative Medical Solutions for Postponing and Undoing Age-related Disease

Aubrey de Grey, Chief Science Officer at SENS Research Foundation, explores the concept of using biomedical technology and regenerative medicine to postpone aging-derived debilitation and death. We dive into many questions surrounding...

Medical Modeling in Virtual Reality

Justin Sutherland, Co-founder and President of Realize Medical, delves into a range of topics around virtual reality (VR) and three-dimensional modeling, including the roles of VR in medical education, training, surgery planning,...