Surgeon general warns misinformation an 'urgent threat' to public health

The surgeon general is warning Americans about the "urgent threat of health misinformation" amid the government's current push to boost stalling vaccination rates.

The surgeon general is warning Americans about the "urgent threat of health misinformation" amid the government's current push to boost stalling vaccination rates. Dr. Vivek Murthy's advisory -- the first under the Biden administration -- addresses an epidemic of misinformation and disinformation, and its pernicious impact on public health -- specifically threatening the U.S. response to COVID-19. It frames misinformation as having hindered vaccination efforts, sown mistrust, caused people to reject public health measures, use unproven treatments, prolonged the pandemic and put lives at risk. The advisory says combatting misinformation is a "moral and civic responsibility" on an individual and institutional level. The decision to elevate this issue in his first official advisory comes as some Republicans have used the government's coronavirus response and vaccine messaging as a political wedge.