Weaponizing Information: What Happens When We Lose Trust in Science

Measles, eradicated in the United States in 2000, is making a comeback. Meanwhile, an  estimated 300,000 people died from COVID-19 in cases that could have been prevented  through vaccination. Why are we seeing an uptick in conspiracy theories, misinformation,  and outright science denial? The consequences of losing trust in science are harmful and  even deadly. 

Dr. Reed Tuckson, MD, FACP, has dedicated his career to restoring public confidence in  scientific research and health care. He joins Chip on the latest episode of Hospitals in  Focus to explore the current social climate influencing science denial and how it is  exacerbated by those who seek to sow mischief and discontent. 

Topics discussed include:  

• Tribalism and the “Us vs. Them” mentality; 

• Social media’s role as a dissemination mechanism; 

• Patient-level impacts on health, particularly on society’s most vulnerable; • Covid-19 and the mistakes made with the best intentions; and  

• Bridging the gap to regain trust and promote science literacy. 

More/Dr. Tuckson’s Bio:  

Reed V. Tuckson, MD, FACP, is Managing Director of Tuckson Health Connections, LLC, a  vehicle to advance initiatives that support optimal health and wellbeing. 

Currently, Dr. Tuckson’s focus is on his role as a Co- Convener of the Coalition For Trust In  Health & Science, which is dedicated to bringing together the entire health related  ecosystem to address mistrust and misinformation. In addition, he continues to advance  his work as a co-founder of the Black Coalition Against COVID, a multi-stakeholder and  interdisciplinary effort working to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington D.C. and  nationally by coordinating the four historically Black medical schools, the NMA, the  National Black Nurses Association, the National Urban League, and BlackDoctor.org.