Rumor management in public health: a system dynamics analysis based on social trust

Effective rumor governance in public health systems requires a shift from reactive "<i>post hoc</i> debunking" toward proactive "preemptive prevention," encompassing transparent information disclosure, interactive communication mechanisms, targeted interventions against "trust hijacking," and trust reconstruction strategies guided by social-psychological restoration. This study employs a system dynamics approach to elucidate the mechanisms of rumor propagation while empirically validating the dynamic role of trust within the governance system. It not only offers a new analytical framework for understanding the evolution of trust under digital social conditions but also provides strategic insights for enhancing the governance capacity of public health systems in responding to rumors.