UK-Vietnam Partnership Tackles Health Misinformation and Strengthens Research Capacity
A groundbreaking collaborative project between the UK and Vietnam is addressing the escalating challenge of health misinformation and its impact on non-communicable disease (NCD) services. Funded by UKRI-Research England’s International Science Partnership Fund, the project brings together expertise from University College London’s Global Business School for Health (UCL-GBSH), the Institute for Global Health, and the Health Strategy and Policy Institute (HSPI) in Vietnam. This initiative marks a significant step towards fostering evidence-based health decision-making and promoting health equity in Vietnam. The project focuses on understanding how misinformation and disinformation affect the utilization and effectiveness of NCD services, aiming to develop strategies to mitigate their negative consequences.
The project employs a participatory approach, actively engaging key stakeholders in Vietnam’s healthcare system. Over two days of intensive workshops, the project team, led by Dr. Stephen Roberts from UCL-GBSH, facilitated discussions with 31 policymakers, physicians, healthcare workers, academics, members of the National Assembly, and 19 NCD patients. These workshops provided a vital platform for exploring firsthand experiences and perceptions of health misinformation and its impact on individuals and the healthcare system. By directly involving those most affected, the project gathers crucial insights to inform effective interventions. Dr. Roberts emphasized the significance of incorporating qualitative research methods, including the innovative "World Café" approach, to capture the nuanced perspectives of diverse stakeholders.
Beyond data collection, the project prioritizes capacity building within Vietnam’s health research sector. Dr. Roberts conducted three specialized training sessions for HSPI staff, covering participatory research methods, multi-site qualitative research project management, and large-scale qualitative data analysis. These sessions aim to empower local researchers with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct high-quality research on health misinformation and other critical health issues. This capacity-building initiative reflects the project’s long-term vision of establishing a center of excellence for research methods in global health and health systems research within the ASEAN region.
The collaboration underscores the commitment of both UK and Vietnamese partners to tackling the complex problem of health misinformation. By combining international expertise with local knowledge and experience, the project aims to generate robust evidence to inform policy and practice. The project’s emphasis on patient and community engagement ensures that interventions are relevant and responsive to the needs of those most affected by misinformation. This partnership demonstrates the power of international collaboration in addressing global health challenges and achieving health equity.
The dissemination of project findings is a key priority. A workshop scheduled for early July will provide a forum for sharing insights and fostering dialogue among stakeholders. This event will contribute to a broader understanding of the challenges posed by health misinformation and promote the development of effective countermeasures. The project team is also actively engaging through social media platforms like LinkedIn to communicate its progress and findings to a wider audience. This open communication strategy ensures that the project’s impact extends beyond the immediate research community.
The UK-Vietnam partnership on health misinformation serves as a model for future collaborations in global health research. By prioritizing capacity building, participatory methods, and open communication, this project is making significant strides towards improving health services and promoting health equity in Vietnam. The long-term vision of establishing a regional center of excellence for research methods will have a lasting impact on the capacity of ASEAN countries to address critical health challenges. The insights generated by this project will be invaluable in informing strategies to counter health misinformation and promote evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.