YouTube rolled out two new features to tackle health “misinformation” in India. The features will be available in English and at least 8 other languages used in India.
The director and global head of healthcare and public health at YouTube, Garth Graham, speaking to The Economic Times India, said that YouTube aims “to provide equitable access to highly authoritative health information that is evidence-based, culturally relevant and engaging.”
The two features are “health source information panels” and “health content shelves.” Health source information panels will appear under videos from YouTube’s chosen “authoritative” sources. They will allow viewers to get more information from “credible sources of health information.”
Health content shelves will appear when users search for specific health topics.
“Video can help make complicated, clinical topics understandable and accessible in ways that text simply cannot. YouTube has the potential to transform how healthcare providers inform, educate, and motivate people to live healthier lives,” Graham said.
YouTube identified authoritative sources of health information through a set of principles established by experts identified by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). The WHO and NAM are considering validating these principles for global adaptation.
