The mission of the American Journal of Health Education is to focus on manuscripts that address chronic disease and related lifestyle factors. The American Journal of Health Education publishes manuscripts that focus on Health Education and health promotion interventions designed to prevent or delay the onset of the major chronic diseases and illnesses that impact populations of interest today (cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, etc).
For decades, experts from a variety of health-related professions have worked to identify factors that contribute to or inhibit the achievement and maintenance of positive behavior changes. These behaviors have been scientifically established to prevent disease and promote health. Part of this effort involves dissemination of accurate health information. Unfortunately, bombarding consumers with health misinformation interferes with achieving goals of delivering accurate health information and facilitating the practice of behaviors that are safe, effective, and conducive to health.
Health fraud (conscious deceit, practiced for profit) has been in existence for years. Formulas have been peddled to cure anything and everything that ails. Billions are spent each year on fraudulent products and services. An ongoing challenge for Health Educators and other health care professionals has been counteracting false claims and providing correct information. Misinformation is enticing because it usually includes a magic bullet for health and the false belief that no effort is required to achieve positive health outcomes. Misleading or fake news regarding health products and services has become more prevalent and complex over the years.
The multiple forms of media including the Internet and social media have dramatically intensified the problem of protecting consumers from health fraud. The speed and complexity of the transmission of false information using the Internet have escalated the transmission of fake news and even information practices that could lead to harm. Combatting misinformation today is more difficult than ever. To advance the literature related to combatting health fraud, the Editorial Board of the AJHE commissioned this special issue, “Effective Communication in a Fake News Environment: The Role of Health Education.” This issue includes research articles, a feature article, and commentary papers.
A feature article and two commentaries pertain to issues related to false information via the Internet. Nicholas Iammarino and Thomas O’Rourke authored a feature article “The Challenge of Alternative Facts and the Rise of Misinformation in the Digital Age: Responsibilities and Opportunities for Health Promotion and Education—A Commentary.” Two commentary papers are provided. Melissa Haithcox-Dennis authored “Reject, Correct, Redirect: Using Web Annotation to Combat Fake Health Information.” Christopher Rhea et al. discussed a timely subject regarding the use of technology to facilitate positive behavior change. This commentary examined the use of smartphone apps to facilitate positive behavior change.
Several research articles are included in this special issue. Adam Berry et al. provided articles regarding alcohol advertising and perceptions of alcohol use and misuse. The sophisticated alcohol advertising techniques by the alcohol industry were explored. These finding indicate that advertising continues to ignore risks of alcohol consumption and promotes associations of different alcohol products with desired (but false) outcomes.
Two manuscripts addressed women’s health issues. Shibani Kulkarni et al. provided “A Comprehensive Analysis of How Environmental Risks of Breast Cancer Are Portrayed on the Internet.” Websites that included information about environmental risk factors for breast cancer were evaluated for accuracy and readability. Kyla Wagner et al. provided a manuscript titled “Intentions to Use Emergency Contraption: The Role of Accurate Knowledge and Information Source Credibility.” This paper examined information sources of emergency contraception, the credibility of these sources, and young women’s intentions to use emergency contraception.
Dannielle Kelly et al. authored an article on “Understanding Misinformation in the Pro-tanning Communication Environment: A Content Analysis.” This paper illustrated how blatant misinformation is presented to consumers and described the sophistication of blending false information with facts to mislead consumers into believing that tanning beds are safe and even beneficial for health. Silvia Sommariva et al. authored “Spreading the (Fake) News: Exploring Health Messages on Social Media and the Implications for Health Professionals Using a Case Study.” This study examined health messages from social media regarding the Zika virus.
We are pleased to offer this special issue on effective communication in a fake news environment. This issue is the result of substantial work on the part of many individuals, including the authors, guest editorial board, copyeditor, and production editor. We are excited about the innovations outlined in these articles. These papers offer strategies for exposing health fraud, disseminating accurate information, and using technology to advance positive behavior change.