Thanks Chris and Neil for starting this important discussion.
In my opinion ‘literacy’ or even ‘health literacy’ is not guaranteed to decipher misinformation, disinformation or fake news on media, online communications and media apps.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a very good example as most of us would have experienced in our regions with its consequences.
Even the most literate and with health education were often misguided with the very attractive convincing news in a simple language presented by distorting or taking some texts ‘out of context from scientific publications as per convenience’.
This is why I feel HIFA is doing a great job by emphasising and sharing evidence-based knowledge among its members.
Best wishes
Dr Meena Nathan Cherian, MBBS, MD (Anaesthesia)
Former WHO Lead Emergency and Essential Surgical Care Program, Geneva, Switzerland.
Senior Advisor, Global Action, International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG), Switzerland. www.siog.org <http://www.siog.org/>
Director, Global Health New Challenges:online courses, Geneva Foundation for Medical Education & Research (GFMER), Switzerland. <http://www.gfmer.ch/surgery/cancer.htm> www.gfmer.ch/surgery/cancer.htm
World Health Network ZEROCOVID, Global Summit Team. <http://www.worldhealthnetwork.global/summit-info> www.worldhealthnetwork.global/summit-info
Geneva, Switzerland. <mailto:+41%20763837253> +41 763837253(m); <mailto:cherianm15@gmail.com> cherianm15@gmail.com
HIFA profile: Meena Cherian is Director, Emergency & Surgical Care program, Geneva Foundation of Medical Education and Research, Geneva, Switzerland. She is a member of the HIFA working group on Essential Health Services and COVID-19. https://www.hifa.org/support/members/meena
https://www.hifa.org/projects/essential-health-services-and-covid-19
www.gfmer.ch cherianm15 AT gmail.com
