In an era of abundant information, combating cancer misinformation is crucial to informed decision-making and public health. At this event, Skyler Johnson aims to empower participants with the knowledge and tools needed to address impacts, challenges and opportunities of cancer misinformation.
Participants will:
1. Understand the current landscape of cancer misinformation, including challenges related to its study, and its consequences if left unaddressed.
2. Learn effective strategies and tools for identifying, assessing, and addressing cancer-related misinformation.
The Speaker Series on Misinformation invites academic experts in the fields of mis- and disinformation research to present their research. The series is co-sponsored by the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School, the NULab at Northeastern University, and the Internet Democracy Initiative.
Skyler Johnson, MD, is an Assistant Professor in Radiation Oncology at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute, is dedicated to advancing health services research and patient care. Dr. Johnson’s medical journey began at Michigan State University, later refining his skills at the University of Michigan and Yale. He is an internationally recognized expert on cancer misinformation, its impacts and potential solutions, frequently delivering invited lectures across the country and participating in multi-institutional forums on health mis and disinformation. His impactful research on non-traditional cancer treatments gained global media coverage, including features in NBC, CNN, and BBC. His work addresses gaps in oncology literature, influencing health policy documents like the WHO’s report on cancer and NCI research priorities on misinformation. Dr. Johnson continues to lead studies on cancer misinformation and patient-provider communication and has laid the framework for essential work on strategies to mitigate the impact of misinformation. He serves on multiple national and international cancer communication committees and serves as Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Community Outreach and Engagement Chair for the genitourinary disease group, which aligns with his clinical expertise. With clinical excellence, research vigor, and commitment to patient care, Dr. Johnson shapes cancer care and communication research.
