Expert Panel lays out costly consequences of misinformation - News Release

As science and health misinformation becomes increasingly fused with ideology and identity, it contributes to deepening divisions in our society and is taking a real financial and human toll across Canada’s communities and systems. [...] “The unchecked spread of science and health misinformation leaves individuals and society vulnerable to exploitation and threatens our ability to work together to address shared challenges.” Considerable and mounting evidence shows that misinformation has led to illness and death from unsafe interventions and products, vaccine preventable diseases, and a lack of adherence to public health measures. [...] The Expert Panel on the Socioeconomic Impacts of Science and Health Misinformation estimates that misinformation cost the Canadian healthcare system at least $300 million during nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. [...] “This report explores some of the leading practices for assessing and responding to misinformation that could help to inform approaches to address it.” Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada asked the CCA to examine the socioeconomic impacts of science and health misinformation and disinformation on the public and public policy in Canada. [...] The CCA was founded by three independent organizations that represent some of the finest minds in Canada ― the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.