From Misinformation to Meaning: Trust, Truth, and Turbulence in Healthcare Communication Ecosystems

Abstract: Trust in science varies globally, influenced by historical marginalization, economic disparity, and sociocultural dissonance. Political polarization, particularly from neo-right-conservatives, exacerbates skepticism towards science, impacting consensus-building and policy rationale. While regional institutions often garner greater trust due to perceived authenticity, the integrity of science communication faces threats from artificial intelligence, necessitating new verification and accountability mechanisms. The framework of the study aims to trace the genesis of denudation of scientific credibility by exploring the interplay between various manifestations of information shared and the veracity of societal perceptions and after careful analysis, proposes a multilayered framework to reestablish trust, particularly in health-related contexts. Key Words: Misinformation and Disinformation, Scientific Literacy, Health Communication, Global Health Governance, Equity in Health Communication