Building a comprehensive online course series to enhance infodemic management globally

BACKGROUND: Infodemic management has become key to supporting public health prevention and response to epidemics. 91% of WHO Member States declared having capabilities to track and address infodemics and health misinformation (WHO pulse survey). However, the scientific field of infodemiology is quickly evolving, and the practice of infodemic management consequently requires the health workforce to have a multidisciplinary and cross-functional skill set and to update it regularly. OBJECTIVES: Since 2020, WHO and its partners have developed an innovative global blended training program and created a network of over 1300 infodemic managers from 142 countries. To keep the pace of science development, WHO has created an additional series of online courses allowing frontline workers easy, self-paced, and free access to updated and evidence-based infodemic management frameworks and best practices. RESULTS: Mid-2023, a comprehensive “infodemic management” channel, including eight interconnected courses, will be launched on the award-winning platform OpenWHO.org. The first course, “Infodemic management 101”, has already attracted more than 21000 enrolments in English. The seven additional two-hour courses will allow health workers to learn how to generate an infodemic insights report, address health misinformation, be efficient in the field, or co-construct efficient interventions with communities. The course series will be available in English, French, and Spanish. CONCLUSIONS: This new e-learning program will enhance practice in infodemic management in all countries, even those with low bandwidth. Health workers can access the courses on OpenWHO from anywhere, at any time, and no fees. KEY MESSAGES: • Infodemic management requires the health workforce to have an updated multidisciplinary and cross-functional skill set. • The new comprehensive WHO course series on infodemic management, available in three languages, will help to build skills and competencies for frontline health workers.