Alerts
The alerts on these pages are based on the monitoring of publicly available data. While some alerts reference false claims, others are included to indicate gaps in knowledge, concerns, speculation, and other trending narratives. Inclusion in reporting is based on reach and velocity of spread and on whether conversations may impact health behaviors and decisions.
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Popular post generates conversation about preventing and treating depression
Medium Impact
On November 15, a social media user shared a post stating that the “cure” for depression is leaving home as…
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Posts falsely claim that naloxone vending machines encourage drug use
Low Impact
On November 14, NPR published an article about vending machines providing free harm reduction tools like naloxone and sterile syringes…
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RFK Jr.’s potential HHS appointment sparks vaccine conversation
High Impact
False claims about childhood vaccine safety circulated widely online following President-elect Trump’s November 14 announcement that he nominated Robert F.…
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Fears about self-amplifying mRNA vaccines circulate online
Medium Impact
On November 11, Arcturus Therapeutics announced that the FDA cleared a clinical trial for a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine for H5N1 avian influenza.…
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Dubious VAERS study links COVID-19 vaccines to blood clots
Medium Impact
A new study by several well-known vaccine opponents claims that “brain clots are 112,000% more likely after COVID-19 vaccination than…
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Online concern about bird flu ramps up after U.S. election
Medium Impact
Shortly after the U.S. presidential election, the CDC posted about symptoms of H5N1, or bird flu, prompting some social media…
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Conspiracy theories about vaccines in food persist online
Medium Impact
A post with over 2.4 million views and 77,000 engagements claims that the federal government is going to use taxpayer…
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Political rally prompts stigmatizing debate about depression
High Impact
During a rally leading up to the presidential election, Donald Trump stated, “You know the best way to stop depression?…
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Idaho district bans COVID-19 vaccine distribution in clinics
Medium Impact
On October 22, the board of the Southwest District Health Division in Idaho narrowly voted to end the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines…
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Outrage over the CDC’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
Medium Impact
The CDC updated its COVID-19 vaccine schedule to recommend that children ages 6 months to 4 years who have never…
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Posts falsely claim that overdose prevention centers enable addiction
Low Impact
Las Cruces, New Mexico, is considering establishing an overdose prevention center, which would provide a space where people can use drugs…
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Website falsely claims that a California county’s autism rates are linked to vaccination
Low Impact
A website known for posting hoax stories published an article falsely claiming that Marin County, California, defied the CDC childhood…
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WHO’s declaration of mpox emergency sparks online debate
Medium Impact
Last week, WHO declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern as several central and…
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Fall COVID-19 vaccines draw negative response online
High Impact
Reports over the weekend prior to this week’s FDA approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer sparked an…
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Brazilian plane crash spawns an anti-vaccine conspiracy theory
Low Impact
A tragic August 9 plane crash in Cascavel, Brazil claimed the lives of all aboard, including several medical professionals traveling…
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Former tech CEO’s death reignites false turbo cancer claims
Medium Impact
The former CEO of YouTube died of lung cancer, setting off a wave of conspiracy theories claiming that the death…