AI, Misinformation, and the Future of Public Health: Why Standards Matter Now More Than Ever

Clarity Over Confusion

We are living in a time where the greatest threats to public health aren’t just viruses or chronic diseases—they’re misinformation, digital distortion, and misused data. And while artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to revolutionize our work, it also has the power to deepen division, fuel fear, and mislead the very communities we are trying to protect.

As the founder of Ascendant Healthcare Partners, I believe we need new standards for how we use AI in public health—and we must lead with truth. Today, I want to unpack where we are, where we’re headed, and how health departments can be equipped to lead in an era dominated by rapid digital transformation.

The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Public Health

Artificial intelligence has already changed how we collect, sort, and use health data. Tools that once took weeks to analyze can now produce reports in hours. Predictive modeling can identify future hotspots. Language processing can translate complex policy into plain language.

But with this power comes risk. Here’s what we’re seeing in the field:

• AI models trained on biased or incomplete data are amplifying health disparities.

• Chatbots and AI-generated content are pushing out misinformation disguised as fact.

• Local health departments are pressured to adopt tech they don’t fully understand—with no standards, safeguards, or accountability.

We cannot allow the rush for innovation to compromise public trust.

Misinformation Is a Public Health Emergency

The Surgeon General declared it. The World Health Organization has echoed it. Misinformation is costing lives.

From vaccine myths to mental health stigmas, we’re seeing how social media algorithms, AI content farms, and even well-meaning but misinformed influencers are reshaping community behavior. And the cost is staggering:

• Delayed care

• Widening health gaps

• Increased mistrust of local health officials

As local departments try to deliver clear, evidence-based messaging, they are being drowned out by louder, less accurate voices.

That’s why Ascendant Healthcare Partners is taking a stand.

Our Position – What “Setting the Standard” Looks Like

We believe health data should be:

• Transparent

• Ethical

• Verified

• Actionable

We believe AI in public health must:

• Be trained on real, representative, local data

• Pass through a human lens before publication

• Be labeled clearly to differentiate from human-authored content

And we believe misinformation must be countered with clarity, not fear.

At Ascendant Healthcare Partners, we are helping counties set their own internal guardrails: from truth-checking community needs assessments to offering strategic communication support that aligns with the Surgeon General’s advisory on misinformation.

We’re not just vendors. We’re stewards of truth in a noisy world.

The Role of Health Departments in Rebuilding Trust

This is the opportunity: Public health departments can become the most trusted local source of health information again.

But that will take a shift:

• From reactive to proactive messaging

• From static PDFs to dynamic, real-time content

• From siloed efforts to collaborative truth-building

Ascendant Healthcare Partners works with counties nationwide to:

• Train staff on ethical AI use

• Vet data sources and validate reports

• Design communications that counter falsehoods while elevating real health priorities

We meet the standards for PHAB, MAPP 2.0, and Healthy People 2030. And we help you lead with clarity.

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What We’re Doing Now (and How You Can Lead With Us)

We are actively working on:

• Publishing an AI + Public Health Ethics Framework for local health agencies (2025 release)

• Hosting an invite-only roundtable on "Truth in Public Health Data" in Q3

• Launching an AI verification badge for community health needs assessments and improvement plans

And we’re inviting your department to be part of the national conversation.

Here’s how you can lead:

1. Request a Proposal to align your next CHNA, CHIP, or strategic plan with AI ethics and clear communication standards.

2. Schedule a Discovery Call to discuss misinformation and risk mitigation in your current materials.

3. Share this blog with your leadership team.

Let’s make your department a national model of data integrity.

Clarity Builds Confidence

The future of public health will be shaped by those who rise above confusion, not those who surrender to it. Ascendant Healthcare Partners is here to help you lead with confidence, equipped with tools, standards, and messaging that uphold trust.

Together, we can set the national standard for public health in the age of AI.

Join us.

Request a Proposal