Join ASPPH at Misinformation, Public Health, and the Fight for Truth on November 4 at APHA’s Annual Meeting

ASPPH looks forward to connecting with public health colleagues at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo, taking place November 2-5 in Washington, DC. As part of the conference program, ASPPH will host a special session, Misinformation, Public Health, and the Fight for Truth: Strategies for Action, on Tuesday, November 4, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM ET.

This session will examine the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation in public health, exploring how academic institutions, practitioners, and technology experts can collaborate to build trust and strengthen evidence-based communication.

Bringing together leaders from academia, nonprofit organizations, and health communication, the discussion will highlight systems-level strategies, technology-driven solutions, and community-centered approaches to counter false narratives and advance health equity. Panelists will share best practices for integrating infodemiology into public health infrastructure, leveraging AI tools for trusted communication, and promoting transparency through ethical leadership.

The session will be moderated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist, data scientist, and scientific communicator who publishes Your Local Epidemiologist, a newsletter that breaks down complex public health science into relatable, evidence-based insights so YOU can make informed decisions. Her work has reached millions of readers in over 100 countries, and in 2024, she was honored by TIME as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Health.

The session will also feature Dr. Boris Lushniak, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Health); Dr. Brinleigh Murphy-Reuter, CEO and Founder of Science To People; Nalini Padmanabhan[DB1] , MPH, Communications Director for the de Beaumont Foundation; and Dr. Melinda Pettigrew, Dean of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

Participants will leave with actionable insights to design effective misinformation response strategies that are equitable, science-based, and adaptable to today's rapidly changing media environment.

Through this APHA session, ASPPH reaffirms its commitment to promoting accurate, trusted, and inclusive communication in pursuit of a healthier and better-informed society.

In addition to this special session, ASPPH will host several other sessions at the APHA 2025 Annual Meeting. Explore the full lineup of ASPPH programming here.