WHO joins TikTok to deliver science-based health info

Tech
Social
Posted 9 October, 2024

Credit: Thred

Since the pandemic, there has been a surge in people seeking health information online. This has led to an increase in misinformation, however, leaving many overwhelmed as they navigate online medical guidance.

To help tackle this growing issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) have announced a collaboration with TikTok to deliver reliable science-based information on health and well-being to young adults.

Gen Z is more likely than other generations to find its news and information on social media platforms. In fact, studies show that despite being the most tech-savvy generation, they have a higher tendency to believe misinformation.

WHO’s collaboration with TikTok aims to address this by working with health influencers to promote health literacy and encourage positive dialogue surrounding healthy behaviours and actions.

The content will be created through the Fides network, a WHO project launched in 2020 to help combat health-related misinformation. The network is composed of over 800 medical professionals in the US, UK, France, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil, who also create engaging short-form video content for TikTok.

Speaking about the partnership, WHO Chief Scientist Dr Jeremy Farrar discussed how ‘the intersection of health and technology presents an opportunity to reach people of all ages, where they are, when they want to access.’

‘By working with TikTok and others, we are helping people access credible information and engage in scientific discourse that collectively helps shape a healthier future for all,’ he explained.

Influencers will also be able to access training programs to support the creation of their content and ensure accessibility for all audiences when translating medical-jargon.

Social media also has the added advantage of reaching minority groups who have been historically dismissed by healthcare systems, helping to bridge the health gap through diverse health literacy.

Dr Judith Jospeh, a leading psychiatrist and WHO content creator spoke about how the initiative could help break down stigmas, particularly surrounding mental health.

‘I’ve encountered numerous stories in which patients recognized their own symptoms through social media and subsequently obtained the support that they needed. In many cases, social media has saved lives through storytelling,’ she says.

With more and more people turning to online platforms for their health and wellness information, digitized communities offer an alternative to help foster a sense of belonging, particularly for those dealing with chronic conditions who may not find support or shared emotional experiences elsewhere.

For those searching themselves into an existential crisis, the quality of medical advice is about to become markedly more reliable and nuanced too.

Anisha Mansuri

Contributing Writer Birmingham, UK

Hi, I’m Anisha, a cultural and political journalist. I write about achieving social justice in Britain, women’s rights and the South Asian diaspora. I occasionally write about pop culture and the fashion industry. My work primarily delves into the issues faced by marginalised groups which don’t often receive in-depth exploration or public-backed protest. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

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