Infectious diseases are by their nature a collective action problem. They emerge unpredictably, spread indiscriminately, and threaten everyone. An approach that truly puts American interests first would recognize this reality and invest in the global infrastructure that keeps Americans safe; “America First” should not mean “America Blind.” When Dr. Houry told Congress that the CDC had 60% fewer sample submissions, she was not describing an inconvenience, she was describing the lack of data needed to respond to potential emerging catastrophes. The next pandemic will not wait for the United States to rebuild its own World Health Organization. The only question is whether Americans will be watching when it arrives.
This is not a time for “watch what we do, not what we say.” Congress must vote to keep research funded, but they must also reaffirm their commitment by speaking to America’s value of innovation. For America to remain a scientific superpower, scientists must continue to believe that there is no better place in the world to do research. It is up to our leaders to make that a reality in both word and deed.
Scientific research and the development of new technologies have radically improved human lives over the past century. American public investment in research and development has played a crucial role in that, both employing scientists and funding scientific research at universities and other institutions across the country. While this long relationship has proved extremely fruitful for the American people, recent actions by the Trump administration have put it in jeopardy. With these current affairs in mind, it is worthwhile to briefly review the history and benefits of federal science funding before turning our attention back to the present.
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health tools to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, saving millions of lives each year. Despite its proven success, vaccine hesitancy remains a significant challenge, exacerbated by misinformation and concerns about vaccine safety. To combat this issue and facilitate the widespread uptake of vaccines, healthcare professionals and scientists must focus on robust public health education campaigns that empower individuals with accurate, clear, and trustworthy information. Using influenza (flu) and measles vaccination as case studies, we can examine the role of individual healthcare providers, scientists, and educators in fostering vaccine confidence and counteracting the growing influence of vaccine misinformation.
Let me introduce you to Nate’s Debate. Imagine you are in a room with 3 other people: a collaborator, a neutral, and an opposing party. You need to vote on a law, but the law only passes with a majority of 3 out of 4 people. You can only speak with 1 of the 3 people in hopes of increasing the chances they vote in favor for your law. Who do you choose to debate?
