ArticlePLOS global public health2025
Short communication: Mpox memes, the gift that conceals a blade.
Article in PLOS global public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Memes have become a popular communication tool, especially during public health crises, offering both opportunities and challenges for messaging. This short communication examines the dual role of mpox-related memes circulating since the disease's declaration as a public health emergency in August 2024. Through a qualitative content analysis of 200 mpox memes shared across major social media platforms, we identified two primary themes: (1) Awareness and Education and (2) Misinformation and Stigma. Approximately 60% of the memes promoted awareness, using humor to increase engagement with health messages and fostering constructive dialogue on preventive measures. However, 40% conveyed misinformation or perpetuated stigma, particularly against LGBTQ+ communities, which may have hindered public trust in health authorities and created barriers to health-seeking behaviors. The findings suggest that while memes can positively impact public health communication, their potential to spread misinformation requires strategic monitoring and response. Public health organizations may benefit from partnering with social media influencers to create accurate, relatable meme content that engages audiences without perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.