How the pandemic has hurt public trust in science
A mix of factors, including rapidly evolving science, mixed messaging, and misinformation, has eroded public trust in science during the pandemic, say experts.
Worldwide Week highlights Harvard’s global reach
Harvard Worldwide Week 2020 showcases the breadth of the University’s global engagement through a host of virtual offerings and features a host of Harvard Chan School experts.
In India, population density a challenge as COVID-19 cases surge
In India, the sheer scale of the country and size of the population makes uniform execution of COVID-19 mitigation measures difficult.
Negative opinions about genetically modified food may influence receptivity to other food technologies
People who have negative opinions about genetically-modified (GM) food are likely to feel the same about foods containing additives made with nanotechnology.
How not to be overwhelmed with COVID-19 news
To avoid becoming “saturated” with the daily deluge of COVID-19 news, consider dialing it back, says health communication expert Kasisomayajula “Vish” Viswanath. Viswanath, Lee Kum Kee Professor of Health Communication at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,…
Instagram remains a hotbed of vaccine misinformation
Leaders of the social media platform Instagram said months ago that they would take steps to curb the spread of misinformation about vaccines, but anti-vaccine content remains prevalent on the platform, according to news reports. A February 2,…
Social media use can be positive for mental health and well-being
A new study assessed the association of two dimensions of social media use—how much it’s routinely used and how emotionally connected users are to the platforms—with three health-related outcomes: social well-being, positive mental health, and self-rated health.
Questioning Facebook’s foray into preventive health
A new health care feature from Facebook called “Preventive Health” is aimed at encouraging users to get recommended screenings like mammograms and blood pressure tests, and to focus on other disease-preventing measures like getting a flu shot. But…
Exploring why vaping-linked lung illness is a ‘crisis’
Why is vaping-related lung illness seen by health officials, politicians, and the press as a public health crisis, even though other public health problems with worse consequences—like influenza—have not garnered as much attention? As of October 10, 2019,…
How India is coping with climate change
Deadly heat waves, coastal flooding, reduced agricultural productivity, and water shortages are among the climate change-related problems facing India. But two experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health said they are encouraged by recent problem-solving steps…