Constance warns of dangers of public health misinformation

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Speaking ahead of a Holyrood debate on the issue yesterday, she called on representatives of all parties to beware of the real-world risks to health posed by the online circulation of misinformation on issues such as vaccinations.

“With the rise of AI we are seeing an unprecedented increase in the speed and scale at which misleading information about public health spreads,” she said.

Arguing the public “should be able to access the care that they need without the risk of harmful misinformation causing unnecessary concern or fear,” she added: “For all of us, knowing what information to trust about our health is vital, as false or misleading information can lead us to make choices that can harm us or our loved ones.

“Institutions like the NHS, Public Health Scotland and academia play an essential role in providing trustworthy information to the public on health that is factual and based on science.”

Almost a year since the Scottish government published what is thought to be the world’s first Health Information Integrity Strategy to help the NHS counter misinformation, Ms Constance used the debate to urge MSPs to “note with concern” the increasing risks, and recognise that accessible and trustworthy health information is essential to maintaining confidence in public health and supporting people to make informed decisions.

Calling on Parliament to “collaborate to tackle the rise of harmful online misinformation,” she added: “For any health questions, I urge for people to go to Scotland’s national health information service NHS Inform in the first instance, for evidence-based and accurate health information.”