Vish Viswanath, PhD, a professor of population sciences at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and a professor of health communication at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, delivered a thought-provoking interview at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in 2025. In his interview, he expanded on his prior presentation titled, "Science for Everyone: Countering Misinformation and Building Public Trust,"" which was part of the session titled, "Using Communication Effectively to Foster Trust in Science, Cultivate Engagement, and Improve Clinical Trial Participation."*
1. Understanding Health Misinformation:
Vish began his interview by defining health misinformation in a way that drew parallels to the more literal "snake oil" marketing of fertility treatments many centuries ago. He noted that while such attempts were initially aimed at misleading consumers, they later transformed into more sophisticated forms of dissemination, blending reality TV and social media with incentives. He emphasized how health misinformation evolves over time due to the complexity of the information ecosystems we inhabit. This period includes pamphlets, newspapers, and a whole spectrum of digital platforms, both tangible and virtual. He highlighted that the evolution of misinformation is not just about the<{em>increasing complexity of literals and emotions over time but also the interactive and collective nature of the information flow.}*
2. Defining Misinformation:
Vish then defined health misinformation as information or claims about science or health that diverged from the current scientific consensus at the time. He pointed out that what is considered misinformation will change as scientific understanding evolves. He used examples such as altered medical claims, sensationalized narratives, and misinformation in scientific studies to illustrate the concept. For instance, incidents like the mis characterization ofzipuncolysis as an effective treatable for everything, or overly sensationalized studies on genetic disorders, exemplify how prematurely disseminated media can hinder public trust in medical practices and scientific research. He also discussed how misinformation from other sources, such as press releases and ethical researcher simplifications, occurs unintentionally at the edge of societal understanding.
3. The Source of Misinformation:
Moving on to the next section, Vish explored the sources of health misinformation. He explained that misinformation can originate either intentionally, by scientists simplifying complex studies or providing overly simplified press releases, or unintentionally, by those willing to spread unintended truths. He also touched on the deliberate attempts by governments, interest groups, and individuals with ideological motives to spread misinformation. Potential actors could include medical spokespeople, scientists, pharmaceutical companies, or.ndarray programmers, each with their own motivations ranging from monetary rewards to ideological bias. He provided an example of scientific dis affirmation, where understanding a finding is reduced to its surface-level effects, potentially reducing its scientific importance.
*4. Topics Where Misinformation<{em>Is Most Affected literals and emotions over time but also the interactive and collective nature of the information flow.}
Vish asserted that misinformation spreadspecifically on topics where scientific conclusions are uncertain, such as in the field of cancer, vaccine research, or infectious diseases, given the complexity and rapid advancements in these areas. He cited examples from the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that misinformation immediately influenced vaccine hesitancy, raising questions about vaccine efficacy and safety. He also mentioned the challenge of disseminating controversial topics, such as truancy policies in schools, as these concerns are often influenced by media and concerns over student safety, as well as societal norms.
5. Impact on Public Trust and Education:
Vish emphasized the importance of education in addressing misinformation and building public trust in science. He acknowledged the limitations of current media, both digital and conventional, in reliably communicating complex scientific information. He proposed that improved educational practices can better inform the public understanding of topics, though he stressed the need for sustained effort. He also reflected on the role ofCTL (Conclusion Taken to Lunch) mechanisms—actions like increasing literals, allowing critiques, and simplifying science that can filter out misinformation—despite the complexity of these efforts.
6. Reflection on the Meeting:
As the interview came less than a year before the meeting, Viswanath reflected on its significance. He noted that the American Association for Cancer Research is a vital organization in the fight against cancer, and his work highlighted the broader importance of scientific literacy and public trust. He acknowledged the meeting’s transformative potential to address the public’s growing concerns about health in an misinformation-driven world.
In summary, Vish Viswanath’s interview underscored the dynamic and evolving nature of health misinformation, its impact on societal trust, and the need for proactive measures to combat it. His work serves as a valuable resource for understanding ethical considerations in scientific communication, a field at the intersection of philosophy, public health, and technology.