The other day, someone I know brought up concerns about red dye in drinks.
They were serious. Concerned. Trying to make better choices.
And I… said nothing.
Not because I didn’t have information.
But because I didn’t know how to respond in a way that would actually help.
That moment stuck with me. Because this isn’t just about red dye.
It’s happening everywhere.
Vaccines. Food. Mental health. Policy. “Natural” remedies. Social media trends.
And the truth is:
Most of us in public health were trained to understand problems, not to communicate through misinformation in real life.
The Real Problem Isn’t Just Misinformation
Yes, misinformation is everywhere.
But that’s not the full story.
On a societal level: trust in institutions (and public health has declined), information is constant and can be overwhelming, and social media algorithms reward engagement over accuracy. These headwinds are difficult.
And to make things worse, people are learning from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube without media literacy, health literacy, and weaker critical thinking skills.
We’re not just fighting misinformation; we’re fighting how people experience information. And that changes everything.
Why Misinformation Works (Even When It’s Wrong)
If misinformation were only about being incorrect, it wouldn’t spread this easily.
It works because it taps into something deeper.
- Identity > Information
People don’t just believe things. They attach them to who they are.
Challenging a belief can feel like challenging a person. - Emotion Beats Evidence
If something feels scary, unfair, or urgent…it sticks.
Facts require processing. Emotion requires reaction. - Correction Can Backfire
When we immediately say, “That’s wrong,” people often double down.
Not because they’re stubborn, but because they feel attacked.
Now we’re not arguing with just facts. We’re interacting with people’s belief and identity.
And that’s why having this types of conversations are so difficult.
What Public Health Gets Wrong
This is where we have to be honest with ourselves as public health professionals.
Public health is incredibly good at:
- Analyzing data
- Understanding systems
- Identifying root causes
But we often struggle with:
- Talking with people instead of at them
- Meeting people where they are
- Translating complex ideas into everyday language
We rely heavily on facts.
But, remember: being right isn’t enough if you’re not being heard.
A Better Way to Respond: A Practical Framework
If we want to combat misinformation in real life – not just online – we need a different approach.
Here’s a simple framework you can use immediately:
LISTEN → VALIDATE → REDIRECT → INFORM
Important to note that you must be be knowledgeable about the topic you want to persuade someone on prior to engaging in the conversation.
Example 1 – Broad Use Case
Step 1. LISTEN
Let them finish. Don’t interrupt. You want to best understand where their perspective is grounded.
Try:
- “What made you start thinking about that?”
- “Where did you hear that from?”
You are gathering context, not preparing your rebuttal.
Step 2. VALIDATE
You’re not agreeing with their thoughts. You are acknowledging them.
Try:
- “I get why that would be concerning.”
- “That makes sense to think about.”
This lowers defensiveness and keeps the conversation open.
Step 3. REDIRECT
Now guide the conversation with better questions.
Try:
- “What part of that concerns you most?”
- “What have you seen so far?”
This helps you understand what they actually care about.
Step 4. INFORM
Now – and only now – share information.
Gently.
Try:
- “From what I’ve seen, the bigger concern is actually…”
- “What public health tends to focus on more is…”
Keep it simple. Keep it relevant.
Example 2 – Hankavirus
Someone says: “See? Another dangerous virus is spreading. They’re probably hiding the truth again.”
Step 1. LISTEN
Instead of staring off saying, “that’s not true.”
Try:
- “What have you been hearing about it?”
- “What part concerns you the most?”
This works because it 1) lowers defensiveness; 2) helps you understand their real fear; 3) gives context before responding
Step 2. VALIDATE
Try:
- “I get why hearing about another virus would make people anxious.”
- “There’s so much health information online right now, it can definitely feel overwhelming.”
Important: You’re validating the emotion, not confirming misinformation.
Step 3. REDIRECT
Now its your time to guide the conversation:
- “Have you looking into how hanta virus actually spreads?”
- “One thing that’s important is that hantavirus works very differently from something like COVID.”
This works because you shift from ‘conspiracy/fear’ -> curiousity/context
Step 4. INFORM
Now give simple, grounded information:
- “From what public health experts know, hantavirus is rare and is usually linked to exposure to infected rodent droppings or urine — not casual person-to-person spread in most cases.”
Then add: “The bigger takeaway is understanding prevention and accurate information, not panicking from headlines.”
Keep it simple. Keep it relevant.
You don’t win by overpowering misinformation – you win by out-guiding it.
Remember public health communication isn’t about humiliating people. Its about helping people move from fear to understanding.
What to Avoid (Even If It’s Tempting)
If your goal is impact, not ego, avoid saying:
- “That’s wrong.”
- Overloading people with data
- Making people feel uninformed or naive
- Trying to “win” the conversation
Because your goal is to create curiosity from your conversation while calmly guiding the conversation. This helps create a conversation that is grounded in openness, trust, better conversations.
If your goal is to win, you’ll lose the relationship.
And without the relationship, there is no influence.
Who This Works Best For
I would love if using this framework guaranteed every conversation would be transformative. Unfortunately, that’s just not reality.
At the end of the day, we do not have influence over everyone. You are far more likely to make an impact in conversations with friends, acquaintances, coworkers, family members, or even that “friend of a friend” where some level of trust or rapport already exists.
On the other hand, it is much harder to meaningfully influence random people online — especially anonymous or fake profiles on Instagram, Facebook, or other social media platforms. Even with real people online, if there is no relationship or trust, those conversations often go nowhere.
That is why it is important to be intentional with your energy. Focus on the conversations where there is already some connection, openness, or mutual respect. Those are the spaces where people are more likely to listen, reflect, and potentially shift their perspective.
Not every conversation will lead to change, and that is okay. But in general, people are much more open to reconsidering their views when the message comes from someone they know, trust, or feel connected to.
(I’ll continue learning and sharing more strategies for navigating these kinds of conversations in the future.)
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Misinformation isn’t going away.
But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless.
Every conversation is an opportunity to:
- build trust
- shift perspective
- introduce better understanding
Public health doesn’t just live in research papers, policies, or institutions.
It lives in conversations.
- With friends.
- With family.
- With coworkers.
- Online.
- In passing comments that shape how people think about health.
If we want to rebuild trust in science and public health, we can’t just share better information.
We have to communicate better. Everyday.
Conclusion (Back to That Moment)
Looking back at that red dye conversation, I wish I had approached it differently.
Not to shut the person down, but to meet them where they were.
I could’ve said: “I get why that’s concerning. There’s a lot of stuff out there about food ingredients. What part of it worries you most?”
That would’ve opened the door. And from there, I could’ve gently redirected toward broader concerns like added sugars, overall diet patterns, and long-term health.
Not dismissing their concern. Just expanding it.
That’s the difference.
What To Do Starting Today
So next time someone says something that feels off:
Pause. Don’t rush to correct. Don’t shut them down.
Instead:
- Stay curious
- Ask a question
- Guide the conversation
Because:
Public health doesn’t just happen in systems, it happens in how we show up with people.
And that’s a skill worth building.