340.634.11
Debunking Misinformation and Combatting Spin in Public Health Research
Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Institute
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
1
Academic Year
2026 - 2027
Instruction Method
In-Person
Start Date
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
End Date
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Tuesday, 9:00am - 4:50pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
No prerequisites for this course.
Enrollment Restriction
This course is not restricted.
In recent years, we have seen an uptick in misinformation and the subsequent rising distrust of public health. Do you find yourself at a loss in how to address this as a public health practitioner? This course will describe the historical and current context of misinformation and prepare you to recognize common tactics for more effective communication around public health. Drawing from epidemiology, biostatistics, misinformation studies, and communication, we will introduce resources and work through exemplar topics to set the foundation for this important work in public health.
Provides a broad understanding of the historical and current context of misinformation in public health. Reviews current frameworks for identifying and understanding misinformation, as well as preventing its propagation in communication of public health findings. Describes common statistical and debate techniques utilized in misinformation to enable students to identify misinformation. Employs frameworks and techniques to exemplars of public health misinformation relating to current topics in epidemiology.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Identify common mechanisms for misinformation about public health and research findings.
- Utilize available frameworks and resources to understand misinformation within the context of current research.
- Identify the current landscape of misinformation, including in journalism, social media, and other sources of information.
- Communicate effectively about public health findings while addressing possible misunderstandings and weaponization of epidemiology findings.
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 50% Participation
- 30% Group Presentation
- 20% In-class Exercises
You should take this course if you are most interested in historical context of misinformation and preventing it's propagation in public health findings in epidemiology.