Reject, Correct, Redirect: Using Web Annotation to Combat Fake Health Information—A Commentary

ABSTRACT

Misleading health news and product advertising has plagued the United States since the 19th century. Companies and individuals spent large sums of money to advertise in a variety of media, including newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, and, more recently, the Internet. Preying on the fears and insecurities of consumers, these entities used manipulative marketing strategies to dupe the public and make money. Despite historical and more recent public health efforts, fake health news is pervasive and becoming more harmful every day. How, then, do we, Certified Health Education Specialists, engage in the fight against fake health products and news? One option is to directly reject and correct online stories, websites, and advertisements and redirect consumers to reputable alternatives using web annotation. Web annotation, a widely used tool that is very similar to the traditional use of annotations made on a paper or in the margin of a textbook, is done completely online. Annotations appear as highlights, images or videos, marginal notes or tags on an entire website, a sentence or paragraph. Using this tool, Certified Health Education Specialists can engage in the fight against fake health news by pointing out false information, adding accurate information, and listing reliable alternatives for the protection of consumers.