Trending Narrative Alerts
Knowing what health information is trending can help you generate effective messaging.
Alerts are based on the monitoring of publicly available media data from diverse sources like social media, broadcast television, news websites, blogs, online video, and more. While some insights reference specific false claims and conspiracy theories, others are included to indicate gaps in knowledge, concerns, speculation, and other trending discussions. Inclusion is based on reach, velocity of spread, and whether conversations may impact health behaviors and decisions.
Misinformation Alerts
Knowing what misinformation is being shared can help you generate effective messaging.
These insights are based on a combination of automated media monitoring and manual review by public health data analysts. Media data are publicly available data from many sources, such as social media, broadcast television, newspapers and magazines, news websites, online video, blogs, and more. Analysts from the Public Good Projects triangulate this data along with other data from fact checking organizations and investigative sources to provide an accurate, but not exhaustive, list of currently circulating misinformation.Alerts are categorized as high, medium, and low impact.
- High impact: Narratives with widespread circulation across communities, high engagement, exponential velocity, and a high potential to impact health decisions. Are often more memorable than accurate information.
- Medium impact: Narratives that are circulating in priority populations and pose some threat to health. Potential for further spread due to the tactics used or because of predicted velocity. Often highlights the questions and concerns of people.
- Low impact: Narratives that are limited in reach, don’t impact your community, or lack the qualities necessary for future spread. May indicate information gaps, confusion, or concerns.
During a rally leading up to the presidential election, Donald Trump stated, “You know the best way to stop depression? Work your ass off.” A video of the statement shared on social media garnered over 1.6 million views, 70,000 likes, 10,000 reposts, and 1,300 comments. Many comments echoed Trump’s sentiment, stating, “When you’re pushing yourself to the limit, grinding toward a goal, there’s no room left for anxiety, no space for doubt.” Some also shared the stigmatizing view that depression is caused by laziness. Several other comments falsely claimed that depression is a modern issue created by pharmaceutical companies to make money from antidepressant medications.
Recommendation:
High Impact Read More +
The high-profile source of the claim increases its impact. In response to conversations about the causes of depression, messaging may emphasize that depression is a real medical condition with many factors contributing to it. Communicators may explain that overworking can lead to depression and can also be a symptom of depression, particularly in men. Communicators may also recirculate information about the signs of depression across demographics and treatment options, such as therapy and antidepressant medications. Highlighting lifestyle changes that have been shown to support mental health—such as getting regular exercise, eating a nutrient-dense diet, sleeping enough, maintaining connections with loved ones, managing stress, and practicing meditation—is recommended. Fact-Checking Source(s): SAMHSA
On October 22, the board of the Southwest District Health Division in Idaho narrowly voted to end the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines at district clinics because of so-called “safety” concerns. According to a representative for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, this is the first time that a health department in the United States has restricted the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Notably, multiple prominent anti-vaccine activists spoke at the meeting, including a discredited physician best known for promoting anti-vaccine myths and a health care worker who popularized the “Died Suddenly” conspiracy theory. A board chairman argued that the board overstepped and could be opening the door to similar restrictions on other vaccines and medical treatments. Although residents will still be able to get COVID-19 vaccines from pharmacies and clinics not affiliated with the health department, much of this region is rural and will be impacted by the restriction. Vaccine opponents celebrated Idaho for “leading the way” in opposing COVID-19 vaccines.
Recommendation:
Medium Impact Read More +
Government officials restricting the use of COVID-19 vaccines based on false claims about safety sets a precedent that may influence other regional governments. Debunking messaging may emphasize that research over the last four years has found strong evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Messaging may also explain that since the first COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial in 2020, scientists worldwide have repeatedly demonstrated the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for people of all ages. Emphasizing that over 70 percent of the world’s population—5.5 billion people—have safely received COVID-19 vaccines is recommended. Fact Checking Source(s): Infectious Diseases Society of America
Las Cruces, New Mexico, is considering establishing an overdose prevention center, which would provide a space where people can use drugs in a supervised environment with overdose prevention tools on hand and be connected to services for people with substance use disorder. The director of harm reduction organization Homeless Health Care Los Angeles proposed the idea to Las Cruces city councilors and department administrators late last month. So far, the city has not taken action, but councilors will consider using opioid settlement funds to establish the center. A social media post criticizing the idea received nearly 300 comments, many falsely claiming that overdose prevention centers “enable addiction” and cause overdose deaths.
Recommendation:
Low Impact Read More +
In response to false claims about overdose prevention centers, messaging may explain that more than 20 years of research show that no one has ever died of an overdose while at an overdose prevention center. Additional messaging may emphasize that overdose prevention centers do not increase crime and are associated with increased access to treatment. Overdose prevention centers, which provide a space where people can use drugs in a supervised environment, are different from syringe services programs (SSPs), which may provide tools like vaccinations and sterile syringes to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. However, both overdose prevention centers and SSPs are types of harm reduction programs that connect people who use drugs to treatment if and when they are ready. Fact-checking sources: CATO Institute
The CDC updated its COVID-19 vaccine schedule to recommend that children ages 6 months to 4 years who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine receive a multidose initial series of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. The recommendation sparked outrage among vaccine opponents, including a U.S. senator. Some social media users called the recommendations unnecessary, “devastating,” and “anti-science,” while others argued that the government should close the border to prevent the spread of disease. Popular posts repeated false claims about COVID-19 vaccine safety, criticized the pediatric vaccine schedule, and claimed that they would never give their child any vaccine.
Recommendation:
Medium Impact Read More +
Recommendations: False and misleading narratives about the safety and necessity of COVID-19 vaccines for children are widespread and may influence parents to delay or skip vaccinations for their children. Messaging may explain that pediatricians and other experts recommend vaccination to keep children and their families safe from COVID-19. Messaging may also emphasize that, although children are less likely to die from COVID-19, the disease can still make them very sick and cause them to develop long-term health complications, including long COVID and an increased risk for diabetes. Fact Checking Source(s): AAP
Mental health conversations about ADHD in women spread online following the publication of two recent articles. One article explained that ADHD has previously been underdiagnosed in girls and women, likely because women and girls with ADHD may exhibit different symptoms than boys and men. The second article featured interviews with women who struggled to receive an ADHD diagnosis and faced barriers to accessing treatment. In posts and comments, users shared their own struggles with managing ADHD symptoms and accessing medication. Some comments argued about whether the uptick in ADHD diagnoses in women is due to ADHD being “a trend.”
Recommendation:
Low Impact Read More +
Lack of knowledge about ADHD may fuel misleading claims and confusion about what the condition is, how it’s diagnosed, who it affects and how, and how it’s treated. Highlighting that ADHD is among the most common mental health conditions affecting children and teens but that many adults also have it is recommended. Talking points may outline information detailing the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women as well as information about how people who suspect that they have ADHD can seek a diagnosis. Messaging may emphasize that there are three types of ADHD with distinct symptoms: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined. Women are more likely to have inattentive ADHD, which results in trouble focusing, difficulty completing tasks, trouble staying organized, and forgetfulness. These symptoms can be more challenging to recognize than the symptoms of other types of ADHD, thus contributing to ADHD being underdiagnosed in girls and women. Sharing the types of ADHD medication and how they work is also recommended. Communicators may also want to share online tools for ADHD management that people can use in combination with medication or on their own. Fact-checking sources: Cleveland Clinic, ADD
A conspiracy theory is circulating in multiple languages across social media platforms that Bill Gates will face trial in the Netherlands over his claims about COVID-19 vaccine safety. The apparent source of the claim is a far-right website known for publishing hoax stories and fringe conspiracy theories. A clip of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. repeating the baseless claim at an event has been widely circulated. Some posts also claim without evidence that Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has also been indicted. Similar conspiracy theories about Gates being indicted or arrested for his vaccine work have circulated online for years.
Recommendation:
Medium Impact Read More +
Anti-vaccine conspiracy theories frequently attempt to discredit the safety of vaccines and the motives of those who fund, develop, promote, or distribute vaccines. The hoax story about Bill Gates being indicted for lying about COVID-19 vaccine safety is designed to create hesitancy. Key messaging may emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested, and real scientific evidence has repeatedly shown that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Fact Checking Source(s): Reuters, Lead Stories
Conversation spiked after the CDC vaccine advisory committee, ACIP, voted to lower the recommended age for pneumococcal vaccination eligibility from 65 to 50 and to recommend an additional dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Some social media users applauded the committee for simplifying COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for older adults by recommending two doses six months apart. Vaccine opponents were critical of the recommendations and complained about multiple vaccine doses. One post demanded that the CDC “please stop poisoning vulnerable elderly people.”
Recommendation:
Medium Impact Read More +
New immunization guidelines can cause confusion and may offer opportunities to explain how vaccines keep vulnerable populations safe. The CDC’s new recommendations are based on data showing that older adults and immunocompromised people are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and pneumonia and make up the majority of hospitalizations and deaths from the diseases. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of COVID-19 and pneumonia. Fact Checking Source(s): NYT, Very Well Health, CDC
Multiple social media posts shared recent news articles reporting details on the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who fell from a hotel balcony on October 16. A toxicology report found that Payne had multiple substances in his system at the time of his death, including cocaine, benzodiazepines, and “pink cocaine,” a mix of several drugs such as ketamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and fentanyl. Many comments shared information and questions about pink cocaine, including the misleading claim that pink cocaine is “a mixture of hallucinogenic drugs,” which received more than 714,000 engagements as of October 30.
Recommendation:
Low Impact Read More +
Messaging to fill information gaps may include information about pink cocaine, reiterate that harm reduction tools like naloxone do not encourage drug use, and recirculate information about where to access naloxone and how to use it. In response to questions about pink cocaine, messaging may explain that pink cocaine typically does not contain cocaine. It is a mixture of drugs—usually stimulants and hallucinogens and sometimes opioids—that may include ketamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and fentanyl. The effects of pink cocaine vary, as every mixture may contain different drugs at different concentrations. Messaging may emphasize that while naloxone is only effective at reversing the effects of opioids, it should be administered any time a person shows signs of an overdose, even if you are not sure if a person has taken opioids, because some drugs are unknowingly mixed with opioids like fentanyl. Naloxone will not harm a person who is not overdosing on opioids. Fact-checking sources: DEA, Poison.org
Several social media posts trending this week discussed vaccine adjuvants. The posts include images of vaccine ingredients and debunked claims about their supposed risks. Posts focused on aluminum, formaldehyde, thimerosal, and monosodium glutamate in various routine vaccines. One post with over 40,000 engagements claimed that aluminum in vaccines crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes damage and declared that all vaccines are unsafe because of adjuvants. Other posts claimed that COVID-19 vaccines contain dangerous levels of arsenic and adjuvants that allow contaminant DNA to integrate with recipient DNA and cause cancer.
Recommendation:
Medium Impact Read More +
False and misleading claims about the alleged toxicity of vaccine ingredients are widespread and may cause hesitancy. Highlighting unfamiliar or scary-sounding ingredients is a common anti-vaccine tactic to make people question vaccine safety and promote vaccine hesitancy. Prebunking messaging may emphasize that every vaccine ingredient is carefully tested for safety and there are no toxic ingredients in vaccines. Debunking messaging may explain that all vaccines contain adjuvants, which are ingredients that boost the effectiveness of the vaccine. These adjuvants are completely safe in vaccines due to their low dose and their combination with other vaccine ingredients. Fact Checking Source(s): CHOP, CDC
As of October 12, U.S. cases of pertussis (also called whooping cough) are at the highest level in a decade, with over 18,000 cases recorded so far this year. Popular social media posts blamed the increase on immigrant populations and “open borders,” a myth that circulated after a whooping cough outbreak in England earlier this year. Some posts circulated the conspiracy theory that the media is only covering whooping cough cases to influence the upcoming U.S. presidential election, while others claim that natural immunity is superior to pertussis vaccination. Several social media users attributed the rise in cases to the anti-vaccine movement and claimed that COVID-19 infections may be weakening immune systems and making people more susceptible to disease.
Recommendation:
Medium Impact Read More +
Attempts to downplay the severity of whooping cough or sow distrust about the safety and effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine may discourage parents from vaccinating their children. Talking points may explain that whooping cough is a highly contagious and potentially serious disease, especially in babies and young children who can develop pneumonia, seizures, and brain damage. Messaging may emphasize that whooping cough spreads when immunization is low. The pertussis vaccine is 98 percent effective, but its effectiveness wanes over time. Thus, boosters are recommended every 10 years for adolescents and adults. Fact Checking Source(s): Very Well Health
Alerts are categorized as high, medium, and low impact.
- High impact: Narratives with widespread circulation across communities, high engagement, exponential velocity, and a high potential to impact health decisions. Are often more memorable than accurate information.
- Medium impact: Narratives that are circulating in priority populations and pose some threat to health. Potential for further spread due to the tactics used or because of predicted velocity. Often highlights the questions and concerns of people.
- Low impact: Narratives that are limited in reach, don’t impact your community, or lack the qualities necessary for future spread. May indicate information gaps, confusion, or concerns.
Monthly Trending Narrative Report
Explore Public Good Project’s report highlighting high-level health trends. This report captures information from May 6th – July 7th, 2024.
2023 Trends in COVID-19
Vaccine Opposition
This new report details the trends in 2023 discussions about COVID-19 vaccines, identifying both persistent, recurring themes from previous years and new themes that emerged within the year. The goal is to equip public health professionals with information to help navigate future discussions around COVID-19 vaccines.
Categorizing Public Conversation
on Vaccine Opposition to Inform
Health Communications Strategies
This new report leverages PGP’s advanced media monitoring platforms and expertise in vaccine opposition to categorize narratives into patterns. These patterns can help health communicators plan messaging approaches and strategies to improve vaccine uptake.
Vaccine Misinformation Guide
Get practical tips for addressing misinformation in this new guide. Click image to download, or see highlights.