Browsing by Author "Pandya, Apurva Kumar"

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ChatGPT and Global Public Health: Applications, Challenges, Ethical Considerations and Mitigation Strategies
(Elsevier, 2023) Parray, Ateeb Ahmad; Inam, Zuhrat Mahfuza; Ramonfaur, Diego; Haider, Shams Shabab; Mistry, Sabuj Kanti; Pandya, Apurva Kumar
The advancement of deep learning and artificial intelligence has resulted in the development of state-of-the-art language models, such as ChatGPT. This technology can analyze large amounts of data, identify patterns, and assist in the analysis and understanding of risk factors for diseases. Despite its potential, the applications, challenges, and ethical considerations have not been yet fully explored in global health research. This paper examines the applications of ChatGPT in global health research, assesses the challenges in its use, and proposes mitigation strategies. Additionally, it describes the ethical considerations around the use of ChatGPT in global health research and suggests potential avenues for addressing these issues. This paper summarizes that it is crucial to understand the capabilities and limitations of this technology in order to fully realize its potential and ensure its responsible integration into global health research.
Combating the COVID-19 infodemic: a three-level approach for low and middle-income countries
(BMJ Journals, 1/29/2021) Dash, Sambit; Parray, Ateeb Ahmad; De Freitas, Loren; Mithu, Md Imran Hossain; Rahman, Md Mustafizur; Ramasamy, Aarthy; Pandya, Apurva Kumar
The COVID-19 crisis has contributed to the development of an ‘infodemic’ that hinders an adequate public health approach to managing the crisis. The WHO defines an infodemic as an ‘overabundance of information—some accurate and some not—that occurs during an epidemic’.1 Fake news, propaganda and conspiracy theories, ubiquitous in the era of social media, have spread since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports suggest that a rumour is three times more likely to be spread in social media than accurate information.2 This is of great concern as it often leads to reduced trust in health institutions and services and impedes the evidence-informed approach in managing the pandemic. The infodemic may also promote hate speech and associated stigmatisation which may contribute to exclusions of vulnerable sections of society. The adverse effects of the infodemic may be exacerbated in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where low health literacy levels, poor health infrastructure and poor resource settings exist. One example is the spread of misinformation that concentrated alcohol can kill the novel coronavirus. This led to methanol poisoning that contributed to the deaths of more than 700 people in Iran and resulted in blindness in 60 people in other LMICs.3 Misperceptions about COVID-19 also entail less adherence with proven precautionary behaviours such as social distancing interventions.4 Broad categories of misinformation related to COVID-19 include those about the disease itself, conspiracy theories, scapegoating and false cures. A concerted, tailor-made, evidence-informed effort from a transdisciplinary perspective is required to address the impact of the infodemic in LMICs. In this article, we suggest measures and approaches that LMICs can undertake in order to combat the COVID-19 infodemic and future infodemics.