Combating the Infodemic: Students Take on Public Health Misinformation in Innovative Pitch Competition
In a world awash with information, discerning fact from fiction has become a critical public health challenge. The rise of social media and other digital platforms has amplified the spread of misinformation, particularly in the realm of health, often with detrimental consequences. The Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health, in partnership with the Blackstone LaunchPad, is tackling this issue head-on with the inaugural Combatting Public Health Misinformation Social Impact Pitch Competition. This groundbreaking initiative empowers undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to develop innovative solutions to combat the pervasive problem of health misinformation among their peers.
Scheduled for April 3, 2025, the competition provides a unique platform for students and teams to present their strategies for countering the spread of inaccurate or misleading health information within the college student population. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges comprising experts in public health, media, and business innovation. The competition emphasizes the urgency of addressing misinformation in the digital age, recognizing its potential to cause real-world harm. As Alexandra Punch, director of the Lerner Center, emphasizes, "We are living in an era where misinformation can have serious, even life-threatening consequences. This competition is not just about raising awareness but driving real, actionable ideas and solutions that can be implemented on a community or even national scale.”
The competition’s focus on student-led solutions underscores the importance of engaging young minds in tackling this complex challenge. College students are not only deeply immersed in the digital world where misinformation proliferates but also possess a unique understanding of the communication channels and narratives that resonate with their peers. By empowering students to develop innovative strategies, the competition aims to harness their creativity and technological fluency to create effective solutions. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary nature of the competition encourages collaboration between students from different fields, fostering a holistic approach to addressing misinformation.
Submissions to the competition will be evaluated based on four key criteria: creativity, feasibility, impact potential, and scalability. The judges will be looking for solutions that are not only imaginative but also practical, demonstrably effective, and capable of being implemented across broader populations. The winning team will receive valuable support to further develop and implement their project, including cash prizes, mentorship opportunities, and access to resources. Finalists will also gain invaluable networking opportunities, connecting with influential figures in public health and entrepreneurship, potentially leading to future partnerships and ongoing support.
To prepare prospective participants, the Lerner Center and Blackstone LaunchPad are hosting informational sessions, both in-person and virtual. The next virtual session, scheduled for December 5th at 3 p.m., will provide detailed guidance on the competition, offering valuable tips on crafting a compelling pitch and navigating the submission process. These sessions are designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and tools to develop strong proposals and effectively present their ideas to the judges. The organizers encourage all interested students to attend these sessions and explore the resources available on the Lerner Center’s website.
The Combatting Public Health Misinformation Social Impact Pitch Competition represents a crucial step towards addressing the growing problem of misinformation in the digital age. The competition is particularly timely given the surge in misleading health narratives observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on student-driven innovation and fostering collaboration between academia, public health, and the entrepreneurial community, this initiative aims to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders to combat misinformation and promote accurate, evidence-based health information. The competition seeks to not only raise awareness about the dangers of health misinformation but also to generate tangible solutions that can protect individuals and communities from its harmful effects. The organizers hope to create a ripple effect, with student-led initiatives inspiring broader action and contributing to a more informed and healthier society.