Social Media Disinformation Reinforces Structural Racism in the Latino/a Community

Abstract

Structural racism refers to the systemic and institutional practices that perpetuate racial inequities and discrimination, embedding disparities into the fabric of society through laws, policies, and norms (Bailey et al. 2017; Williams and Mohammed 2013). The rise of unsubstantiated health claims during COVID-19, described as an “infodemic” by the World Health Organization, exposed racial and ethnic minoritized communities to false health information (Lessons Learned From COVID-19 Misinformation Interventions 2023; Infodemic 2020; Moran 2020; Hispanics 2024). This commentary addresses the ways many types of disinformation, including disinformation about immigration, affect the health outcomes of Latino/a individuals. Policymakers and health officials must ensure that accurate and equitable health information is accessible to all, countering disinformation tactics that support structural racism.

Unintentionally spreading inaccurate information is defined as misinformation, while disinformation involves intentionally spreading false information and has long influenced public attitudes and behaviors (Misinformation and disinformation 2024; Health Misinformation—Current Priorities of the United States 2021; Milestones in the History of US Foreign Relations—Office 2025). The rise of digital media has amplified disinformation, influencing attitudes and behaviors more than verified sources (Suarez-Lledo and Alvarez-Galvez 2021; Stimpson and Ortega 2023). During COVID-19, mis-and disinformation spread widely about mask mandates, vaccines, and COVID's origin, exacerbating public health issues (Bridgman et al. 2020; Hadlington et al. 2023; Austin, Borah, and Domgaard 2021; Majano 2023).

Social media serves as a primary mechanism for spreading disinformation, with over half of US Latinos using it as their main information source, often in Spanish, which is fact checked less often (Inclusion, Information, and Intersection 2021; Bennett and Sanchez 2022). English-language political misinformation and conspiracy theories are translated to Spanish to influence the Latino community (YouTube Channels 2022). Anti-vaccine advocates have long targeted Spanish-speaking populations with false information about vaccines, and this public health crisis has been exacerbated by social media disinformation (Valdez, Soto-Vásquez, and Montenegro 2023; Hernández-García and Giménez-Júlvez 2021). Coupled with low health literacy scores, largely due to language barriers and other social determinants, disinformation has contributed to higher rates of chronic diseases and mental health stressors (Kutner et al. 2006; Hispanic/Latino Health 2025; Garcini et al. 2022).

Corporations, individuals, influencers, and political leaders use “racialized disinformation” to advance their agendas among marginalized groups (Tesi 2022). For example, anti-vaccine efforts targeted Black populations, claiming the vaccine was an experimental biological agent (COVID-19 2022; Spencer 2021). Disinformation exploits communities with low trust in government institutions (Gonzalez-Barrera et al. 2024). Understanding how and why disinformation is spread among the Latino community is crucial for implementing solutions to mitigate health misinformation.

Immigration policy often serves as a vehicle for structural racism, which in turn is exacerbated by disinformation directed at Latino/a communities (Misra et al. 2021; Wilson and Stimpson 2020; Kamasaki 2021). Politicians and media outlets have propagated false, racist narratives about a “crisis at the border,” alleging mass criminal entries, fostering fear and mistrust (Nadeem and Nadeem 2024; Gladstone et al. 2021; Blue et al. 2021). For example, disinformation about the public charge rule under the Trump Administration caused many immigrant families, including those not directly affected by the rule, to withdraw from essential public health programs like Medicaid and SNAP, resulting in decreased access to healthcare and nutrition (Kearney et al. 2024; Pillai and Artiga 2022; Salasel 2022; Barofsky et al. 2021; Bernstein et al. 2020; Capps, Fix, and Batalova 2020; Batalova, Fix, and Greenberg 2018). Such disinformation has significant health implications, preventing individuals from seeking medical care due to fear of deportation and confusion about eligibility for services, leading to untreated health conditions and increased public health risks (De Cuba et al. 2023; Wang et al. 2022). For instance, the dissemination of false information about COVID-19 and vaccines has disproportionately affected Latino/a communities, resulting in lower vaccination rates and higher COVID-19 infection and mortality rates (Austin, Borah, and Domgaard 2021; Majano 2023).

Technological and policy solutions can support rapid response to mis and disinformation through regulation and monitoring. Initiatives like “Factchequeado” partner with major media outlets and use AI tools like Chequebot to verify and translate information accurately and provide training and resources to under-resourced news outlets (Portada 2024; Chequeabot 2018). Improving access to trusted, verified health information in multiple languages ensures culturally tailored messages. AI-powered fact-checking tools, like Chequeabot, can be integrated into social media platforms to automatically verify the accuracy of health information shared among users. These partnerships with media and tech platforms are critical for identifying and counteracting coordinated disinformation. Policymakers can support these initiatives by enacting regulations that mandate the use of such technologies to curb the spread of mis and disinformation.

Addressing the lack of trust in healthcare is crucial (Gonzalez-Barrera et al. 2024). Health navigators are community members that guide patients and provide trusted health information (Page-Reeves et al. 2016). Navigators can help Latino patients decipher consumer health information and can provide advice during a personal or family health crisis. By extension and more broadly, legal protections could be implemented for immigrants seeking medical care and protect them from strict border enforcement harm (Misra et al. 2021; Wilson and Stimpson 2020; Kamasaki 2021). Advocates that help Latino patients safely navigating the health system can build trust and partially mitigate the harmful effects of mis and disinformation. To ensure the sustainability of health navigators, we propose integrating them into existing community health programs with stable funding sources, such as federal grants or partnerships with healthcare organizations. Additionally, ongoing training and support for health navigators to recognize and address common mis and disinformation themes will better prepare them to adapt to evolving trends (Arigbede et al. 2022).

Increasing health and media literacy in the Latino community is vital. Expanding health culturally sensitive health literacy education and local initiatives to train adults on identifying verified health information can build trust (Arigbede et al. 2022). For example, studies conducted on Unified ESL (English-as-a-second language) interventions have shown improved health literacy scores in Spanish-speaking adults, suggesting an urgent need to provide resources to expand media and health literacy interventions (Soto Mas et al. 2015). A systematic literature review found that promotoras, or community health workers, have been successfully deployed in Latino/a communities to improve health literacy and navigate healthcare systems (Hernandez et al. 2024).

Initiatives that promote health literacy and promotoras have received financial backing from various sources, ensuring their long-term viability and efficacy in enhancing patients' health literacy and digital literacy. Federal funds from organizations such as the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide substantial funding for training, program implementation, and outreach. These projects also receive funding from state and local governments, which tailor their programs to meet community needs. Non-profit organizations, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, support these programs through grants aimed at enhancing community health outcomes. Additionally, private sector contributions from healthcare providers, insurers, and corporate social responsibility programs further bolster these efforts. Academic institutions and research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are also crucial in funding health literacy interventions. Local charities and community groups contribute through grassroots fundraising efforts. An example of such financial support is a program in South Texas that trained community health workers, resulting in improved health literacy and increased utilization of breast cancer screening (Rainosek 2024).

Policymakers could adopt strategies like “war rooms” to counter disinformation by establishing strategic centers where experts monitor, analyze, and respond to misinformation in real-time (Grisales 2024; Viser 2020). These centers use advanced technologies, including AI, to track the spread of false information and deploy countermeasures swiftly. For example, during the 2020 elections, “war rooms” were used to combat misinformation by coordinating with social media platforms to flag and remove false content. These efforts can be supported by organizations such as the Disinfo Defense League, which works to provide communities with the necessary resources, training, and strategies to effectively counter racialized disinformation (Policy Platform 2021).

Misinformation and disinformation harm the overall health of the Latino/a community, but solutions exist. The targeted strategies outlined above can help combat both mis and disinformation campaigns. Significant policy action and collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and community organizations are necessary to address the intertwined issues of misinformation and structural racism. By enhancing health literacy and ensuring accurate information dissemination, we can mitigate the adverse health effects of misinformation and promote health equity for Latino/a communities. Preparing for future public health crises requires ensuring all minoritized communities have equitable access to accurate information.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.