Hispanics Are Lost in Misinformation, Not Translation.

At this moment, brands are losing revenue to social media accounts and influencers who spread misinformation.

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This highlights the need for more than just facts to address the problem effectively. It's essential to adopt comprehensive strategies that build trust and credibility in addition to providing accurate information.

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Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide ongoing data on spreading health misinformation to drive awareness and action among communities, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.

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Although these data clearly explain the scope and impact of health misinformation, stakeholders must interpret and use them to initiate genuine and effective interventions, primarily to support minorities such as the Hispanic community in the U.S.

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Thus, addressing health misinformation must prioritize building trust and credibility before disseminating facts, ensuring communities can easily understand and adopt it.

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The "Health Misinformation Act of 2021," introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 22, 2021, aims to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to hold social media platforms accountable for spreading health misinformation.

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Under this bill, if a platform's algorithms promote health misinformation, the platform could be treated as the publisher of that content, making it responsible like a traditional publisher. This legislation ensures that social media platforms actively promote accurate scientific information and help curb the spread of harmful misinformation in general.

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Recognizing the harmful effects of health misinformation and creating tailored communication strategies will enable stakeholders to improve public health knowledge and seek new opportunities to achieve sustainable health outcomes.

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Furthermore, the healthcare system should reinforce solutions by publishing or directing people to outlets where they can find reliable information. This approach ensures that all communities can access trustworthy health information regardless of language or cultural barriers. By integrating clear and accessible resources, the healthcare system can build stronger relationships with diverse populations, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

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Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S.*

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To effectively fight health misinformation among Hispanics, it's essential to understand their digital habits and language preferences. The Pew Research Center reports that 93% of Hispanics own a smartphone, with 78% using it for information, 64% for researching products or services, and 64% for connecting with family and friends. Additionally, 88% of Hispanics in the U.S. use the internet daily, and 75% of Hispanic internet users make important decisions when information is available in Spanish.

Given these habits, providing reliable health information in Spanish is crucial. While 29% of Hispanics access information only in English, 42% are proficient in both Spanish and English, 12% are reasonably proficient in both languages, 11% have limited English proficiency, 5.5% access information only in Spanish, and 0.5% speak some dialects. By catering to these preferences, we can more effectively address health misinformation in the Hispanic community.

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For instance, companies can collaborate with health organizations to create educational materials.

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Pharmaceuticals, Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacists can provide patients easy access to reliable health websites offering information. Doing so provides accurate health information and acknowledges their patients' cultural contexts.

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Recognizing the detrimental impact of health misinformation and developing customized communication strategies will empower stakeholders to enhance public health education. By taking direct action, they can achieve long-term health improvements and unlock new opportunities for sustainable success in public health.

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This effort is effective and cost-efficient, enabling doctors and patients to have conversations grounded in truth, data, and science rather than relying on information from social media and unverified online sources.

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^{*Source: Census.gov}

^{Photo by Camilo Jimenez}