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Mapping Infodemic Responses: A Geospatial Analysis of COVID-19 Discourse on Twitter in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriela Fernandez

    (Metabolism of Cities Living Laboratory, Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age, Department of Geography, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Siddharth Suresh-Babu

    (Metabolism of Cities Living Laboratory, Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age, Department of Geography, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Domenico Vito

    (Metabolism of Cities Living Laboratory, Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age, Department of Geography, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified concerns about misinformation, sparking interest in the field of infodemiology, which examines the spread and impact of information on public health perceptions. This research examines how geographic location influenced COVID-19 discourse across 10 Italian cities by analyzing geographically tagged Twitter data. Our network analysis of 4792 high-degree nodes identifies key information spreaders and community structures, while spatiotemporal mapping reveals regional variations in information patterns and influential narratives. Results demonstrate significant geographic and cultural influences on public discourse. In Milan and Rome, economic and political narratives dominated, suggesting targeted messaging about economic recovery and government transparency. Southern regions like Naples require trust-building through community-led initiatives addressing cultural health beliefs. The study identified a clear dichotomy among influencers: established public figures provided evidence-based information, while another group cultivated followings through conspiracy theories, creating echo chambers for skeptical views. This research informs strategies for location-specific information campaigns, helping public health agencies combat misinformation more effectively. Findings emphasize the need for context-specific interventions that consider geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic factors to enhance community resilience during health emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriela Fernandez & Siddharth Suresh-Babu & Domenico Vito, 2025. "Mapping Infodemic Responses: A Geospatial Analysis of COVID-19 Discourse on Twitter in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(5), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:5:p:668-:d:1641614
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gabriela Fernandez & Carol Maione & Harrison Yang & Karenina Zaballa & Norbert Bonnici & Jarai Carter & Brian H. Spitzberg & Chanwoo Jin & Ming-Hsiang Tsou, 2022. "Social Network Analysis of COVID-19 Sentiments: 10 Metropolitan Cities in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-31, June.
    2. Charles R. Harris & K. Jarrod Millman & Stéfan J. Walt & Ralf Gommers & Pauli Virtanen & David Cournapeau & Eric Wieser & Julian Taylor & Sebastian Berg & Nathaniel J. Smith & Robert Kern & Matti Picu, 2020. "Array programming with NumPy," Nature, Nature, vol. 585(7825), pages 357-362, September.
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