France Unveils Comprehensive National Strategy to Combat Health Misinformation

On January 12, 2026, the French Ministry of Health announced a robust, multi-faceted plan devised to tackle the growing challenge of health misinformation across the country. The initiative follows a detailed report presented to the government, prepared by a panel of independent experts led by Professors Mathieu Molimard, Dominique Costagliola, and Dr. Hervé Maisonneuve. This report was rooted in 156 interviews with 270 stakeholders, including health agencies, journalists, and research institutions, underscoring the extensive consultation behind the proposals.

The new strategy, laid out by Health Minister Stéphanie Rist and initiated under former Health Minister Yannick Neuder in August 2025, focuses on four main axes, aiming to address misinformation’s systemic and harmful impact on public health. Neuder stressed that health misinformation is a significant threat, not merely an issue of opinion.

Professor Molimard, one of the report’s authors, highlighted in an interview the necessity of increasing transparency and accessibility regarding health information quality online. He advocated for the introduction of an "infoscore" system to make the credibility of internet health sources more visible to the public.

The report includes a mix of practical recommendations and some controversial suggestions, reflecting the complexity of combating misinformation. The government’s plan includes creating educational kits, conducting surveys, and establishing an observatory dedicated to monitoring and fighting health misinformation.

This comprehensive approach aims to equip both governmental bodies and citizens with tools and awareness necessary to discern reliable health information, thereby protecting public health and reinforcing trust in official sources. The strategy underscores the importance France places on tackling misinformation as a key element of national health policy moving forward.