Health Misinformation on Social Media: A Review of Management and Innovation Perspectives

Health misinformation on social media has emerged as a significant challenge for global public health, especially during critical periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid and wide dissemination of false health information can mislead the public, reduce adherence to medical guidelines, and erode trust in health institutions. This review explores the dynamics of health misinformation through management and innovation lenses, drawing on multidisciplinary literature published between 2018 and 2024. Key themes identified include the prevalence and emotional nature of misinformation, user susceptibility shaped by demographic and cognitive factors, and the psychological mechanisms behind belief formation and resistance to correction. The study also highlights healthcare professionals' role in countering misinformation, their motivational and institutional barriers, and the impact of platform-specific dynamics. Effective mitigation strategies involve a mix of interventions, such as theory-based communication, mobile health applications, digital literacy programs, and AI-driven monitoring systems. Furthermore, emotionally attuned, transparent messaging and community engagement are critical to building public trust. This paper concludes that an integrated, multi-sectoral approach—uniting health professionals, policymakers, tech platforms, and the public—is essential to combating misinformation and fostering health resilience in a digitally connected world.