New Haven – During a recent interview on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven,” Yale School of Public Health social scientist Matthew Facciani cautioned residents to turn to their physicians for guidance on flu and COVID‑19 vaccinations. While he studies the spread of public‑health misinformation, Facciani stressed that he is not a medical doctor and therefore does not dispense medical advice himself.

Research shows mixed trust in doctors

Facciani highlighted a 2024 study he co‑authored that found only 51 percent of respondents said they always follow their doctors’ recommendations when those recommendations conflict with information from uncredentialed sources such as AI chatbots or social‑media influencers. The study underscores a growing skepticism toward traditional medical authorities in favor of readily available online content.

Three steps to improve public‑health communication

To combat misinformation, Facciani offered three practical suggestions:

• Open research access. Scholars should move studies out of paywalls and provide concise, searchable summaries that AI tools can crawl, ensuring accurate information reaches the public.
• Verify AI sources. When using chatbots like Gemini or Claude for health queries, users should click the cited sources and cross‑check them against reputable medical sites.
• Demand transparency from AI firms. Companies should disclose the models and algorithms behind their health‑related outputs so users can assess reliability.

Facciani noted that his own experience reflects his advice: he consulted his doctor before receiving his fall COVID‑19 and flu shots, rather than relying on an AI assistant.

Optimism for future communication tools

Despite the challenges, Facciani expressed optimism, saying, “I see the people doing the work and trying to make a difference. And that brings me hope.” He believes that better communication tools, combined with increased transparency, can ultimately strengthen public health outcomes.

Local health officials and community leaders are encouraged to incorporate these recommendations, especially as the vaccination season approaches. Residents who have questions about which shots are appropriate for them are urged to schedule appointments with their primary care providers.

For more insight, listeners can view the full interview video on the New Haven Independent website or tune in to future episodes of “Dateline New Haven.”

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.