Promoting conspiracy theory: From AIDS to COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• History of Medicine

Background:

• Conspiracy theories about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and COVID-19 epidemics share common characteristics.
• These narratives, often evidence-free, target powerful agents and spread globally, adapting to local contexts.
• Promotion for commercial and political aims, including 'cultropreneurs' marketing alternative therapies, is a recurring theme.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the parallels and evolution of conspiracy theories during the AIDS and COVID-19 epidemics.
• To examine the role of 'cultropreneurs' and political motivations in disseminating health-related misinformation.
• To understand the challenges faced by pro-science advocates in a 'post-truth' social media environment.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of historical and contemporary conspiracy narratives.
• Examination of case studies, including Russian bioweapon theories and alternative therapy marketing.
• Qualitative assessment of the impact of social media on the spread of misinformation.

Main Results:

• Conspiracy theories regarding both AIDS and COVID-19 viruses, such as claims of U.S. bioweapons, emerged.
• 'Cultropreneurs' utilized conspiracy theories about scientific medicine as a marketing strategy for unproven therapies.
• The social-media-driven 'post-truth' context significantly complicated efforts by pro-science activists to combat misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• Conspiracy theories are a persistent feature of epidemics, adapting to new contexts and technologies.
• The commercial and political exploitation of misinformation remains a significant public health concern.
• Addressing vaccine conspiracy theories requires understanding their historical roots and contemporary dissemination methods.