FIGHTING DISINFORMATION: STRATEGIES TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AGAINST FAKE NEWS

Abstract

The dissemination of fake news in the context of public health has been consolidated as one of the most pressing challenges today, compromising the population's adherence to scientific recommendations and negatively impacting the formulation and implementation of public health policies. The advancement of digital technologies and the popularization of social networks have intensified the spread of misleading content, favoring the amplification of untrue information that affects everything from public perception of treatments and vaccines to the credibility of health institutions. In view of this scenario, this study developed a narrative review of the literature to analyze the main strategies employed to confront misinformation in public health, addressing regulatory, educational, and technological aspects. The results show that the simple dissemination of correct scientific information is not enough to mitigate the effects of fake news, and an integrated approach that involves legal regulation, digital literacy, and the use of artificial intelligence is essential to identify and contain disinformation. It is concluded that the fight against fake news in public health requires the articulation of interdisciplinary policies that strengthen society's trust in science, promote media education, and ensure a safer and more transparent informational environment, reducing the negative impacts of misinformation on population health.