Exploring the Association between Trust in Healthcare Entities and Exposure to Emerging Health Misinformation in Nebraska: A Pilot Study

Introduction: This pilot study investigated the association between trust in healthcare entities and exposure to emerging health misinformation in rural Nebraska. Methods: We surveyed 42 residents of Nebraska to assess their trust in healthcare entities (i.e., the healthcare system, clinicians, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and local health departments) and their exposure to emerging health misinformation. Results: Most participants with decreased trust in healthcare entities also reported exposure to health misinformation in the last week. Specifically, 62.5% of participants who reported decreased trust in the healthcare system, 75% in the CDC, 83.3% in the FDA, and 62.5% in the local health department also reported exposure to at least misinformation. Conclusion: The findings suggest that trust is a crucial human factor and is critical in exposure to health misinformation. This highlights the need to prioritize effective communication strategies to build trust.