Viral and the NOVA Medical School, with the support of Boehringer Ingelheim, have partnered to launch “Saúde em Rede – Factos que Cuidam” (“Health in Network – Facts that Care”), an initiative that combines health literacy and the fight against misinformation, aiming to democratize access to reliable information for the general public, particularly through social media.
Through short videos based on the latest and most accurate scientific evidence, “Saúde em Rede” will address topics related to prevention, health promotion, and well-being, helping to debunk myths and clarify common doubts. The content will be developed and presented by professionals from the NOVA Medical School, ensuring the rigour and quality of the information shared.
“We believe that making health information clearer and closer to people — with the direct involvement of professionals — is essential to proactively tackle misinformation beyond editorial work. This project is an important step in that direction and reinforces our commitment to fact-checking in the health field,” says Sara Beatriz Monteiro, Director of Viral.
“In a medical school, our concern is not only to ensure that society has access to information, but that people have access to credible information that allows them to distinguish what is right from what is wrong. As a hub of knowledge and of the health ecosystem, the NOVA Medical School also has the responsibility to support the media’s role: to inform clearly, accurately, and usefully. This joint project with Viral emerges in that spirit — to promote health literacy and strengthen public trust in scientific knowledge,” highlights Conceição Calhau, Full Professor at NOVA Medical School and Vice Dean for Community Outreach.
Vanessa Jacinto, Head of Market Access & Public Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim Portugal, adds: “At Boehringer Ingelheim, we believe our role in society goes far beyond innovation in healthcare. That’s why we’ve been developing several social responsibility initiatives, such as health literacy programmes and support for vulnerable communities. We believe that clear and accessible information is a powerful tool to empower people. The ‘Saúde em Rede’ project reinforces this commitment by promoting more informed choices and combating misinformation through scientific evidence.”
In its first phase, more than 20 episodes will be produced. The introductory episode was released on November 4, and is already available online.
The first topic-focused episode, on vitamin D, will be published tomorrow, November 6.
All videos will be available on Viral’s social media channels and website, with the goal of promoting healthier lifestyles and reinforcing the importance of science-based information in everyday life.