S4. Official and unofficial sources
41. How Online Misinformation Leads to Serious Complications in London
41. How Online Misinformation Leads to Serious Complications in London John, a 45-year-old from London, opts for a kidney transplant in a clinic in Thailand, lured by the promise of lower costs advertised on a seemingly reputable medical tourism website. The surgery leads to serious complications due to poorly performed operation and lack of immediate…
Read More38. How One Parent’s Decision Impacts Public Health in a Small Town
38. How One Parent’s Decision Impacts Public Health in a Small Town In a small town in the United States, a parent, influenced by conspiracy theories about vaccinations, decides not to vaccinate their child, leading to a measles outbreak in the local school. Individual outcomes The child, 8-year-old Emma, faces health risks throughout her entire…
Read More32. How Online Misinformation Leads to Preventable Disease Outbreaks in Texas
32. How Online Misinformation Leads to Preventable Disease Outbreaks in Texas In 2021, a community in Texas, misled by online articles claiming natural remedies could replace vaccines, sees a surge in preventable diseases. Local hospitals, like Houston Medical Center, become overwhelmed, facing a shortage of beds and increased healthcare costs. Individual outcomes Individuals like Emily,…
Read More30. How Online Misinformation Affects Health in Webville
30. How Online Misinformation Affects Health in Webville In 2023, many people in the small town of Webville become obsessed with self-diagnosing serious illnesses through online sources. Websites and forums, like “exorcism movement” and “HealthForum,” are filled with misleading information, leading to heightened health anxiety. Residents like Emily Johnson become convinced they have multiple serious…
Read More29. How a Bogus Treatment Spreads in Healthville
29. How a Bogus Treatment Spreads in Healthville In 2024, residents of the city of Healthville are misled by online medical advice from unverified sources. A blog post by a self-proclaimed health expert, Dr. Linda Smith, claiming a new “miracle cure” for cancer, goes viral. This leads to patients like John Miller disregarding professional medical…
Read More27. How a Deceptive Campaign Divides Harmonyville Over Air and Water Pollution Concerns
27. How a Deceptive Campaign Divides Harmonyville Over Air and Water Pollution Concerns In 2028, the town of Harmonyville is torn apart by conflicts arising from misinformation about a new municipal policy regarding air and water pollution allegedly caused by a local factory. A deceptive social media campaign, orchestrated by an anonymous group “Citizens for…
Read More24. How a Single Post Ignites a Public Health Crisis in San Lorenzo
24. How a Single Post Ignites a Public Health Crisis in San Lorenzo In 2025, a fictional city, San Lorenzo, faces a public health crisis when false claims about the dangers of a new vaccine circulate on social media. Influenced by a viral post from a self-proclaimed health expert, Dr. Alex Freeman, many citizens, including…
Read More19. How Elderly Victims Were Tricked by a Sophisticated Phishing Scam in Silicon City
19. How Elderly Victims Were Tricked by a Sophisticated Phishing Scam in Silicon City In Silicon City, a technologically advanced urban center, residents, including elderly couple John and Linda, become victims of a sophisticated phishing scam. Fraudsters, posing as bank officials, use realistic emails to trick victims into revealing their banking details. Individual outcomes John…
Read More18. How Online Symptom Checkers Impact Healthcare in Brookside, UK
18. How Online Symptom Checkers Impact Healthcare in Brookside, UK In Brookside, a small town in the UK, Emma, a young professional, becomes convinced she has a rare disease after reading symptoms on WebMD and other health sites. This leads to unnecessary medical tests and anxiety. The town’s healthcare providers are overwhelmed by similar cases.…
Read More12. How a Baseless Claim Spreads in Rivertown, USA
12. How a Baseless Claim Spreads in Rivertown, USA In the city of Rivertown, USA, a health scare arises when a popular local blogger, Jenna Matthews, promotes a baseless diet trend claiming to cure chronic diseases. Despite lacking scientific backing, the trend quickly gains traction, leading many, including young professional Sarah, to abandon conventional medical…
Read More