WHO Partners TikTok To Enhance Health Literacy, Combat Misinformation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has embarked on a year-long partnership with social media platform TikTok, to promote health literacy, encourage healthy behaviors, and combat misinformation among users.

WHO recognises that social media influences people’s health decisions, especially among the younger generations.

WHO’s collaboration with TikTok aims to promote evidence-based content to counteract this growing issue.

WHO Chief Scientist, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, described the partnership as a pivotal step towards social responsibility on platforms like TikTok. “This collaboration can prove to be an inflection point in how platforms can be more socially responsible.

“By working with TikTok, we are helping people access credible information and engage in scientific discourse that collectively helps shape a healthier future for all,” he said

TikTok’s Global Head of Trust and Safety Outreach, Valiant Richey reiterated the platform’s commitment to promoting mental health and well-being.

“We are delighted to collaborate with WHO’s Fides network of health influencers, bringing engaging and authoritative mental well-being content to our community,” he said.

In this new collaboration, TikTok will work with WHO’s Fides network, a group of health content creators launched in 2020, to increase the reach of reliable health information.

TikTok plans to extend support to influencers through its creator training programmes, helping them translate scientific information into relatable, engaging videos.

This initiative will focus on promoting content that tackles major health topics, with a particular focus on mental well-being.

WHO’s Director of Digital Health and Innovation, Dr. Alain Labrique also emphasised how influencers can bridge the gap between science and everyday life.

“Creators who understand their audience’s needs have a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between science and everyday life. This is where WHO can step in to support influencers in delivering evidence-based information, ensuring that health conversations on platforms like TikTok are both impactful and informed,” he said.