Changing minds about health and medicine

Trust, facts, fear, humour - how do you challenge misconceptions?

About this Event

The Institute for Musculoskeletal Health warmly invites clinicians, researchers and the public to a special online event where we ask experts in health communication, science journalism, and political satire how they change minds about health and medicine.

Our expert panel will include:

Professor Julie Leask, 2019 Winner AFR 100 Women of Influence, University of Sydney - on use of Trust

Mr Liam Mannix, Eureka and Young Walkley award-winning science reporter, The Age and SMH - on use of Facts

Dr Becky Freeman, Public health researcher: tobacco control, food advertising, social media, University of Sydney - on use of Fear

Mr Archie Hamilton (aka Clancy Overell), Editor, The Betoota Advocate - on use of Humour

Misinformation about health and medicine is everywhere. Bogus therapies are rife on social media. Influential people—celebrities, clinicians, politicians–broadcast misguided claims about health and medicine for reasons that seem to go beyond simple misunderstanding. Never has the challenge of communicating evidence been more visible and impactful than with recent global reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To add complexity, evidence on health and medicine is always changing. How can the person making choices about their health and healthcare be expected to keep up? For those who care for people with health conditions, or who research ways to improve health, which communication strategies can address misconceptions and help promote evidence-informed decisions? Which communication strategies could backfire?