‘Trust in Science’ Briefing Highlights Need for Collaboration in Era of Misinformation
Published January 16, 2025
Misinformation about health topics spreads faster on social media than even the most contagious viruses, and according to a recent Pew Research Center study, Americans’ overall trust in medical scientists continues to be lower than before the pandemic.
Sponsored by the Alliance and produced in partnership with The Hill, the program, “Trust in Science: The High-Stakes Game for U.S. Public Health” gathered leaders in government, healthcare, science, and patient advocacy to answer these fundamental questions:
What damage has already been done and what challenges lie ahead?
Who decides what is true information versus misinformation?
And what can public health leaders do to restore trust in medical science and U.S. health agencies?
More than 38,000 tuned in online on January 16, and approximately 75 joined in-person at Top of the Hill in Washington, D.C., just steps from the U.S. Capitol. Alliance President & CEO Sue Peschin, MHS, kicked off the program with a sponsor segment interview with The Hill’s Sarakshi Rai, Director of Audience Development & Content Strategy.
Alliance President & CEO Sue Peschin, MHS, with The Hill’s Sarakshi Rai, Director of Audience Development & Content Strategy.
“Our organization’s mission is really about changing the narrative to achieve healthy aging and equitable access to care. But right now, we all seem to be following different narratives depending on where we consume our information,” Peschin said, about the impetus for the topic. “And it’s really the deep divisions that have occurred as a result of that that concern us…It’s really about losing our collective agreement on who’s considered an expert and who’s worthy of our trust. Social media, politics and competing forces in healthcare have grabbed out attention with a constant barrage of conflicting information and it’s hard to figure out how to reconcile it.”
Dr. Larry Bucshon, former Congressman (R-IN) speaks with Steve Scully, Contributing Managing Editor with The Hill.
On day four of his retirement from public service, Dr. Larry Bucshon, former Congressman (R-IN) and member of the Ways & Means Committee, outlined his prediction for the incoming Administration. In his interview with Steve Scully, Contributing Managing Editor with The Hill, Bucshon said that on issues that are really important in healthcare that we need to address, there’s a lot more common ground than you might think.
“We need to get back to data, facts, science, and depoliticize some of the medial issues that were politicized, unfortunately,” Bucshon said. “I represent a rural area of Indiana and I can tell you there were a lot of people who were resistant to getting vaccinated primarily because of social media and other information out there…The information needs to be depoliticized…and we need to figure out a way to better message to the American people.”
U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, MD, (R-WA), Member, Energy & Commerce Committee talks about the uptick in skepticism related to vaccines that she’s witnessed as a pediatrician.
Next to offer her perspective was U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (R-WA), Member, Energy & Commerce Committee. A fellow physician, she took the stage after greeting Bucshon with a hug.
On the dangerous implications of disinformation and misinformation, Shrier said that it’s OK to have questions, but the problem is when you have people spreading misinformation and sowing doubts in the science behind medical advice.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about this, and it is ultimately going to require the people in this country around the world to become critical thinkers and double-checkers…but most people in this country aren’t and that’s why we are seeing conspiracy theories flying and people believe the scary stuff and don’t understand science evolves and we should be trusting our authorities,” Schrier said. “It makes me nervous about the replacement of scientists…by political appointees.”
A panel of experts in their fields continued the program answering questions about misinformation, who to trust, and more.
Imran Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Countering Digital Hate: “Vaccines are not a partisan issue…the question of whether vaccines are safe and effective is a fact, not a football for politicians to punt around.”
Lynn Hano Albizo, Chief Policy Officer, Immune Deficiency Foundation: “In terms of the bullhorn, the leaders in the federal government are the ones with the influence. People are going to look for the people who reinforce what they think. We need to get back to the point where agencies are trusted regardless of who is at the top.”
Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director, American Public Health Association: “The challenge we have is as we get older, the spectrum of disease changes…We really need to begin thinking about health collectively across the lifespan differently than we are now.”
Paul Offit, MD, delivered his thoughts on this issue via web recording.
Closing out the briefing, Paul Offit MD, Director of the Vaccine Education Center and Attending Physician – Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, spoke via web recording on the importance of vaccination. “The lesson from the COVID vaccine is that the National Institutes of Health saves our lives,” he said.
Around 75 gathered in-person at Top of the Hill for the program.
February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness around the importance of recognizing and understanding all types of heart disease, including valve disease.
Learn more about #ValveDiseaseDay events happening throughout Heart Month and on February 22nd, that encourage us all to listen to our hearts.