When Literacy Isn’t Enough: The Role of Trust in Digital Health Transformation

In the digital age, effective science communication requires not only public health literacy but, more critically, the translation of knowledge into action. This study investigates how public trust in different information sources, a core variable in science communication, shapes this translation process. Based on a mixed-mode survey of 1,308 Hong Kong residents, we test a Digital Health Capital model distinguishing knowledge stock from transformative action. Our findings offer a counter-intuitive insight for science communication: while trust in online platforms facilitates health actions, trust in authorities like scientists or government is negatively associated with immediate transformation. We argue this does not signify failure but may induce “deliberative friction,” where audiences engage in more cautious deliberation rather than blind compliance. This challenges conventional views equating communication success with rapid adherence and calls for more nuanced, trust-aware science communication strategies.