New International Initiative “InfoCure” Launched to Promote Reliable Sources of Digital Health Information
Gütersloh, Germany – In an increasingly digital world, the search for reliable health information has become a top priority for many individuals. However, with the rise of social media platforms and AI chatbots, there are concerns about the integrity and quality of the information provided. In response to this, the Bertelsmann Stiftung has launched a new international initiative, “InfoCure,” aimed at promoting trustworthy sources of digital health information and increasing confidence in online resources.
A recent representative survey conducted on behalf of the Bertelsmann Stiftung revealed that 93% of Germans consider quality assurance for health and medical content found online to be important. This sentiment is likely influenced by the fact that 71% of Germans view their own digital competency on health issues as limited, according to Bielefeld University’s new “Health Literacy Survey” (HLS-GER 3). With many people struggling to assess the trustworthiness of online health information, there is a strong demand for reliable sources.
The use of online sources for health information has also increased in recent years. In the Bertelsmann Stiftung analysis, 87% of respondents reported searching for health information online. Women (91%) and individuals with higher levels of education (95%) were more likely to do so than men (83%) and those with lower levels of education (77%). The most popular source for health information was search engines, with 87% of respondents using them frequently or occasionally. Healthcare web portals were also frequently utilized by 54% of respondents, while AI chatbots (40%), messenger services (36%), and social media platforms (29%) were less commonly used.
Despite the popularity of these online sources, there are reservations about the quality and accuracy of the information provided. 59% of respondents reported receiving incorrect information frequently or occasionally when looking up health-related content on social media. This sentiment was shared by 47% of those using search engines and 41% using AI chatbots. In contrast, only 26% of those using healthcare web portals reported receiving incorrect information.
“Incorrect or misleading information on health issues can have serious consequences, both at an individual and societal level,” says Daniela Schwarzer, executive member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung. “That’s why it’s more important than ever to establish trustworthy sources of online health information and to develop transparent ways of identifying them.”
To address this issue, the Bertelsmann Stiftung, along with the Austrian National Public Health Institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH) and Switzerland’s Careum Stiftung, has launched the non-profit initiative “InfoCure.” The goal of this initiative is to establish an international certification system that objectively evaluates providers of health information based on scientific indicators. The “Nature Medicine Commission Quality Health Information for All,” made up of 24 international experts including Daniela Schwarzer, will be responsible for developing these indicators. The certification aims to assist digital applications in identifying trustworthy sources of health information.
For more information, please contact:
Sebastian Schmidt-Kaehler, phone: +49 52 41 81 81 863
Email: sebastian.schmidt-kaehler@bertelsmann-stiftung.de
Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/
