Parents often turn to Twitter for insights on the HPV vaccine. This is a big deal because almost a quarter of tweets about the vaccine spread false information. These misleading tweets often get more attention than the accurate ones. This is troubling because false info can make parents hesitant to vaccinate their kids. The types of false information out there are a...
The measles virus, once thought to be a thing of the past in the United States, has made a dramatic return. In the heart of West Texas, health officials are scrambling to contain an outbreak that has infected over 700 people, hospitalized more than 90, and tragically claimed the lives of two young children. This resurgence is the largest since the year 2000, surpas...
The world might be facing a "post-herd immunity" era for measles. This is a scary thought. In recent times, measles has been popping up in places with low vaccination rates. This includes parts of the American south-west, Mexico, and Canada. The United States is currently experiencing its largest measles outbreak in 25 years. The outbreak started in west Texas and...
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new twists to the conversations around vaccines and vaccine skepticism on social media. The way vaccines were made and shared, along with all the political talks happening worldwide, created a confusing situation. This confusion made it hard for people to trust the authorities managing the vaccines. As a result, discussions about vaccine...
The term "post-truth" has become a buzzword in recent years. It describes a time when feelings and beliefs hold more sway than facts. This shift has big implications for how science is taught. It is important to understand how to tackle the spread of false information. This is where science education comes in. The goal is to equip students with the tools they need to...
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, how people in Oman got their information made a big difference. A survey was conducted in the fall of 2020. It looked at how people in Oman consumed information about COVID-19. The survey had 759 participants. They were asked about their knowledge of COVID-19. They were also asked about misinformation. They were asked abou...
The world is a mess right now. Political fights, global tensions, and social unrest are everywhere. This chaos has led to a big problem: attacks on science. These attacks are happening because people are getting mixed messages from news and the internet. One big source of confusion is the phrase "scientific consensus. " It is time to clear up this misunderstanding. ...
A group of public health experts have taken the initiative to safeguard vaccine policies in the US. They are worried that the nation's health leaders might undermine the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. This concern has led to the creation of the Vaccine Integrity Project. The group is backed by a foundation supported by Christy Walton, a Walmart heiress. Th...
The latest numbers from a major health organization show that autism spectrum disorder is now diagnosed in 1 in 31 children by the time they turn 8. This is a big jump from just a few years ago, when the rate was 1 in 54. Back in 2000, the rate was even lower, at 1 in 150. This increase has led some to use the term "autism epidemic, " but not everyone agrees with tha...
The current health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , has sparked controversy with his actions and statements regarding vaccines. He has been accused of undermining public confidence in vaccines, despite his initial support for them during his confirmation hearings. His department has made several moves that have raised eyebrows, such as cutting funds for state healt...