Establishing Infodemic Management in Germany: A Framework for Social Listening and Integrated Analysis to Report Infodemic Insights at the National Public Health Institute

Abstract

Background To respond to the need to establish infodemic management functions at the national public health institute in Germany (Robert Koch Institute, RKI), we explored and assessed available data sources, developed a social listening and integrated analysis framework, and defined when infodemic management functions should be activated during emergencies. Objective We aimed to establish a framework for social listening and integrated analysis for public health in the German context using international examples and technical guidance documents for infodemic management. Methods This study completed the following objectives: identified (potentially) available data sources for social listening and integrated analysis; assessed these data sources for their suitability and usefulness for integrated analysis in addition to an assessment of their risk using the RKI’s standardized data protection requirements; developed a framework and workflow to combine social listening and integrated analysis to report back actionable infodemic insights for public health communications by the RKI and stakeholders; and defined criteria for activating integrated analysis structures in the context of a specific health event or health emergency. Results We included and classified 38% (16/42) of the identified and assessed data sources for social listening and integrated analysis at the RKI into 3 categories: social media and web-based listening data, RKI-specific data, and infodemic insights. Most data sources can be analyzed weekly to detect current trends and narratives and to inform a timely response by reporting insights that include a risk assessment and scalar judgments of different narratives and themes. Conclusions This study identified, assessed, and prioritized a wide range of data sources for social listening and integrated analysis to report actionable infodemic insights, ensuring a valuable first step in establishing and operationalizing infodemic management at the RKI. This case study also serves as a roadmap for others. Ultimately, once operational, these activities will inform better and targeted public health communication at the RKI and beyond.

The role of the (in)accessibility of social media data for infodemic management: a public health perspective on the situation in the European Union in March 2024

“…The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have presented the COVID-19 State of Vaccine Confidence Insight Reporting System as a first implemented infodemic surveillance system and as prototype for future systems ( 15 ). The national public health institute in Germany, the Robert Koch Institute, has developed a framework for using social listening, building the fundament for infodemic management in Germany ( 16 ). The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and the Africa Infodemic Response Alliance under the hood of the WHO demonstrated similar efforts ( 17 , 18 ).…”

“…However, the access to data from these platforms has been challenging for public health institutions, especially for non-academic organizations [ cf. ( 16 )].…”

Using Behavioral Science for Infodemic Preparedness: The Case of Vaccination Misinformation

“…Tactic, content, and root detection usually require monitoring multiple data sources, from online social listening tools (e.g., epitweetr), to qualitative interviews and surveys among the public (Betsch et al, 2021;Boender et al, 2023;Hou et al, 2021). These sources also enable infodemic managers to detect opinion leaders, credible spokespersons for mass communication, and relevant media channels for target populations.…”

Management of infodemics in outbreaks or health crises: a systematic review

“…For example, social listening infodemic insights and infodemic management have been included in the WHO toolkits for country preparedness and resilience planning. These include emerging threats for pandemic influenza preparedness and for response to influenza outbreaks in animals, WHO’s global architecture for health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience, WHO and partners’ framework for vaccine demand promotion and integration for COVID-19 vaccination into routine immunization and primary health care, among others ( 19–24 ). While countries have reported to WHO conferences and trainings their infodemic management activities, health authorities have not yet extensively reported and published their experience in scientific literature, with Germany being the first ( 25 , 26 ).…”