UDTR Global Rights of Nature Radar

Fear over Facts: The Political and Social Consequences of Health Misinformation

Identification

Public canonical key

doi:10.67903/ijroms0421

Authors

Shamir Yasin Jakaria · PAUL DICK VALENCIA

Reported year

2026

Reported language

en

Source type

article

First detected

2026-11-09T19:04:47.741644+00:00

Last metadata observation

2026-11-09T19:04:47.741644+00:00

Last HTTP verification

Not checked

Institutions reported by the source

Greenville College · Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Reported affiliation countries

PH · TH

Documentary abstract — original language

This article examines the definition, typologies, and propagation mechanisms of health misinformation and analyzes its consequences for political stability and social cohesion. Drawing on scholarly literature, the study applies Deborah Stone's Causal Story Framework as an analytical lens to explain how health misinformation is strategically framed to mobilize public opinion and shape policy outcomes. The study is guided by five research questions addressing the definition and propagation of health misinformation, the mechanics of the Causal Story Framework, and the political, social, and remedial consequences of politicized misinformation. The review indicates that health misinformation spreads through algorithmic amplification, trusted social networks, and deliberate fabrication by motivated actors, and that its persistence rests on simplicity, emotional appeal, and confirmation bias. Applying the Causal Story Framework shows that misinformation gains political traction through intentional causal narratives that assign blame to public health institutions and political elites, a pattern evident in COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy narratives. Politically, this dynamic contributes to policy gridlock, weakened international cooperation, and the rise of populist narratives that challenge scientific expertise. Socially, it is associated with public health crises stemming from reduced vaccination uptake, stigmatization and hate crimes directed at minority groups, and the fragmentation of a shared epistemic commons necessary for democratic deliberation. The findings indicate that health misinformation functions as a socio-political phenomenon rather than a purely informational or medical problem, one that erodes institutional trust and deepens polarization. Based on this synthesis, the study proposes a three-part response centered on countering motivated causal narratives, building public resilience through digital and media literacy, and strengthening institutional guardianship through transparent algorithms, consistent regulation, and proactive risk communication. These three strategies, countering causal narratives, building literacy-based resilience, and strengthening institutional guardianship, together form the study's central practical contribution. These findings suggest that restoring the primacy of facts over fear requires coordinated action across communication, education, and governance.

Identifiers

OPENALEX

W7215800464

DOI

10.67903/ijroms0421

Documentary context

Documentary family

Scholarship

Source-reported types

article

Entity mentions are not evidence of legal recognition. Jurisdiction studied is separate from author affiliation country.

Sources

OpenAlex · Record 1 · Record 2

• DOI · https://doi.org/10.67903/ijroms0421
• OpenAlex · https://openalex.org/W7215800464

Documented bibliographic relations

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Documentary status

Relevance pending

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