Messaging matters in the early stages of a public health emergency. Individual behavior is heavily influenced by news and social media reports. Political leaders and public health administrators are influenced too. And so, it's frustrating to discover that current messaging around monkeypox reflects some of the same limitations that undermined our early response to COVID-19. This newsletter focuses on misrepresented statistics. I was surprised to discover many examples, with implications that extend beyond technical issues involving data.
Monkeypox Messaging
Monkeypox Messaging
Monkeypox Messaging
Messaging matters in the early stages of a public health emergency. Individual behavior is heavily influenced by news and social media reports. Political leaders and public health administrators are influenced too. And so, it's frustrating to discover that current messaging around monkeypox reflects some of the same limitations that undermined our early response to COVID-19. This newsletter focuses on misrepresented statistics. I was surprised to discover many examples, with implications that extend beyond technical issues involving data.