Designathon

Theme: What is Public Health and Why Does it Matter?

The flood of inaccurate and misleading public health content, known as an infodemic, undermines the goals of public health to protect populations through evidence-informed policy and practice.

Challenge: How might we design public health communication and engagement so we, as young people, play an active role in counteracting mis- and disinformation?

The World Health Organisation defines an infodemic as “too much information (including false or misleading information) in digital and physical environments often occurring during a disease outbreak”. Infodemics causes confusion and risk-taking behaviours that can harm health. They also lead to mistrust in health authorities and undermine the public health response. We are now facing an overwhelming and ongoing infodemic, enabled by AI and digital transformation, which has reshaped how we think about public health communication. Traditional campaigns for public health such as those employed to encourage vaccination are no longer cutting through, leading to decreases in vaccine uptake and increases in vaccine preventable diseases. This was clearly outlined in a recent European Public Health forum which outlined how the infodemic has been compounded by erosion of trust and ideological polarisation.

At a time of increasing complexity, misinformation and growing health threats, the Designathon will examine how the next generation can help shape the identity and visibility of public health through fresh ideas, bold messaging and community-centred thinking.