Media, Quality of Health Information

Abstract

Although health‐related information has always been present on the media, quality of health information is a relatively recent topic in health communication research. The interest in the issue has been stimulated by concerns regarding the uncontrolled nature of the information available online and its possible consequences for consumers. There are three main streams of research in the field. First, work aimed at defining health information quality, resulting in the identification of its numerous dimensions or attributes, which are related to the information itself, to the context, and to the users. Second, research aimed at developing assessment tools and guidelines, which has allowed the assessment of the actual quality of information available, showing that it is suboptimal. Third, work aimed at understanding the consumers' perception of health information quality and their ability to evaluate it. This last research line highlighted a need for more awareness on the issue among consumers of health information, a challenge that has now been taken up by health literacy research. Main limitations of research in the field include the lack of clear data on the actual impact of bad quality information on health outcomes and the lack of effective interventions to support users in their evaluation of health information quality. Following the declaration of an infodemic related to the COVID‐19 pandemic, health information quality is now a hot topic in health communication as well as for the whole society. Hopefully this will contribute to significantly move forward the research agenda on the topic and overcome its current limitations.