Tackling health misinformation in humanitarian settings using behavioral science

Busara Center for Behavioral Economics
12
April
2023
Output type
Report
Location
Democratic Republic of Congo
Focus areas
COVID-19
Topics
COVID-19
Programme
Humanitarian Research

This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), explored whether manipulating the source of public health information during the COVID-19 pandemic would shift the attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of refugees and internally displaced persons. While the research questions could not be answered, the study generated useful insights for researchers interested in similar questions.

This book is a guide on six curated behavioral insights to help you better understand how people form the beliefs that guide their behavior. Whether or not someone believes a piece of information depends;

  1. How they feel when they receive a piece of information (feelings)
  2. Whether they trust the source of information (trust in source)
  3. How often they have heard the information before (mere exposure effect)
  4. The information which comes to mind quickly and easily for them (availability bias)
  5. Whether the information supports their existing beliefs (confirmation bias)
  6. What others around them believe (social norms).


This guide unpacks behavioral insights that influence how individuals perceive, retain, use and act on information. Its goal is to provide operationally-relevant information - to humanitarian actors - on how to design information campaigns that lead to better health outcomes.

Other resources

explore all resources
Final Report: Resource pack for faith leaders and community carers to support refugee/IDPs with disabilities
Study update: Dial COVID - July 2021
Reviewing Current Practices of Gender Based Violence Programmes in Emergencies in Nepal
COVID-19
COVID-19
Africa
Democratic Republic of Congo
Busara Center for Behavioral Economics