Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States, called for a global effort to combat disinformation regarding COVID-19 and vaccines on Thursday, calling tech businesses, health-care workers, journalists, and ordinary Americans to do more to combat a “serious public threat.”

In a 22-page advisory, Murthy stated that false claims have encouraged people to oppose vaccinations and public health guidance on masks and social distancing, hampering efforts to stop the coronavirus pandemic and putting lives at danger.

The warning comes as vaccinations for COVID-19 have slowed across the United States, in part due to vaccine opposition motivated by unfounded claims about vaccine safety, and despite the United States’ death toll recently passing 600,000.

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“Limiting the spread of health misinformation is a moral and civic imperative that will require a whole-of-society effort,” wrote Murthy, who also served as surgeon general under former President Barack Obama.

Even before the internet and social media made it possible for dangerous claims to spread quicker and easier than ever before, health misinformation was a global issue. COVID-19 disinformation has become so widespread that the World Health Organization has declared it an “infodemic.”

Given the significance of the internet in the propagation of health misinformation, Murthy suggested that technology companies and social media platforms should make significant improvements to their products and software to reduce disinformation while improving access to authoritative, fact-based sources.

He noted that educators should focus on media literacy and critical thinking in their classrooms. He urged that journalists attempt to responsibly debunk health misinformation without unwittingly promoting it. He also proposed that public health officials and clinicians should do a better job of answering concerns and explaining why public health guidelines change from time to time when new evidence becomes available.

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When it comes to everyday Americans, Murthy advised them to double-check health information with reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to use critical thinking when confronted with unsubstantiated claims. It would be better to connect with loved ones or friends who believe or disseminate disinformation by listening and asking questions rather than confronting them, he added.

While some organisations promote health misinformation for financial gain, Murthy argued that many Americans may be distributing false information without trying to hurt others.

“Misinformation hasn’t just harmed our physical health — it has also divided our families, friends, and communities,” Murthy wrote. “The only way to address health misinformation is to recognize that all of us, in every sector of society, have a responsibility to act.”