Building Digital Health Communication Capacity: A Process Evaluation of the Infodemiology Training Program

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated demand for public health professionals trained in infodemiology, or the science of using health-related information, particularly in digital environments, to inform public health decision-making. To build workforce capacity, The Public Good Projects and the de Beaumont Foundation developed the Infodemiology Training Program (ITP), an asynchronous, online course designed for professionals in U.S. state and local health departments. This process evaluation describes the development, pilot testing, and implementation of the ITP, along with early indicators of its reach, relevance, and use in practice. Mixed methods were used to assess program engagement and outcomes, including platform metrics (n = 3,319 registrants), surveys (n = 61), and interviews (n = 4). Quantitative data showed high engagement in Module 1 (49.5% completion), declining across subsequent modules. More than half of survey respondents (60.0%) reported applying the training in their work, and 92.5% found it relevant to their roles. Qualitative findings indicated participants valued the program's flexibility, applicability, and emphasis on misinformation response. Barriers to completion included time constraints and misalignment with job responsibilities. Findings suggest that while the ITP filled an important training gap, shorter segments and applied learning tools may support future uptake. The ITP represents an early step toward formalizing infodemiology practice in the U.S. public health workforce, with future directions focused on integration into academic programs and public health systems.