Canadian Journal of Bioethics (May 2019)

Health Misinformation and the Power of Narrative Messaging in the Public Sphere

  • Timothy Caulfield,
  • Alessandro R Marcon,
  • Blake Murdoch,
  • Jasmine M Brown,
  • Sarah Tinker Perrault,
  • Jonathan Jarry,
  • Jeremy Snyder,
  • Samantha J Anthony,
  • Stephanie Brooks,
  • Zubin Master,
  • Christen Rachul,
  • Ubaka Ogbogu,
  • Joshua Greenberg,
  • Amy Zarzeczny,
  • Robyn Hyde-Lay

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7202/1060911ar
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 2

Abstract

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Numerous social, economic and academic pressures can have a negative impact on representations of biomedical research. We review several of the forces playing an increasingly pernicious role in how health and science information is interpreted, shared and used, drawing discussions towards the role of narrative. In turn, we explore how aspects of narrative are used in different social contexts and communication environments, and present creative responses that may help counter the negative trends. As traditional methods of communication have in many ways failed the public, changes in approach are required, including the creative use of narratives.

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