Navigating the Infodemic: A Perspective Study on Media Health Literacy in the MENA Region

The COVID-19 infodemic underscored the urgent need to strengthen media health literacy (MHL) as a cornerstone of public health resilience. This perspective examines MHL within the complex sociopolitical, cultural, and digital landscape of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where misinformation, inequities, and limited institutional trust amplify health vulnerabilities. It proposes an integrated framework built on 4 pillars-policy and advocacy, multi-sectoral collaboration, empowerment of vulnerable populations, and technology-driven innovation-to foster equitable access to reliable health information. Advancing MHL in MENA is essential to building trust, enhancing informed decision-making, and promoting regional health equity.