Faver Dias Backs New Bill Combatting Health Misinformation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Working to reduce the spread of inaccurate health information, state Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, is backing new legislation that would establish an expert team under the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to monitor and counter the distribution of health misinformation damaging to Illinois residents and consumers. 

“Right now, accessing information has never been easier,” said Faver Dias. “But that also means misinformation is becoming more widespread, as noncredible sources can share their opinions and advice. This can be dangerous, especially in the medical field, where wrong information can have serious consequences. That’s why this legislation is so important, it allows us to take direct measures to tackle health misinformation hurting Illinois families and residents.”

Faver Dias backed House Bill 4596, which would establish the Health Misinformation Response Unit under IDPH to monitor the spread of health misinformation on social media, community forums or other web or news sources, in order to develop effective countermeasures, like public health advisories. The legislation aims to protect Illinois’ credibility as a repository of reliable health information, during a time where health decisions out of Washington are increasingly politically aligned, rather than evidence-based.

By utilizing state grants to implement health literacy programs, House Bill 4596 seeks to recruit and train messengers within the new unit to assist with communicating accurate health information to the public, while providing accurate sources for residents. This ensures that the health information sent out to the public comes directly from reviewed sources and is strictly science-based. It also establishes that entities who violate this Act will be held accountable and punished under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. 

“People need to have trusted sources for medical information,” said Faver Dias. “And that’s what we’re trying to deliver with this legislation. As misinformation continues to spread, it’s our responsibility to provide people with information that they can trust and rely upon to be accurate and reliable.”

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