360: Public Health Deniers, Pacific Islands Equity Summit Begins

SUMMER JOHNSON:

This is Public Health Review Morning Edition for Friday, February 17, 2023. I'm Summer Johnson.

Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

SCOTT RIVKEES:

Yeah, we've seen misinformation, disinformation, denialism rise, especially as related to public health and health care.

JOHNSON:

Brown University School of Medicine professor, Dr. Scott Rivkees, talking about a dangerous trend of denialism infecting society's view of public health work.

RIVKEES:

There are examples of denialism all around us. You know, people think that climate change is a hoax. Some people think that cancer is not caused by smoking, denial of--you know, the belief that the 2020 election was rigged. And we are beginning to see the face of denialism in terms of some statements that are being made: you know, claims that conspiracies, the use of fake experts, a selective use of the medical literature, the creation of impossible expectations of what public health can deliver, and the presentation of really false ideas and notions to support some of these legislative efforts.

JOHNSON:

Rivkees writes about the impact of denialism on public health in a guest column published recently in Washington, DC's The Hill newspaper.

RIVKEES:

What the piece is about is that what's even more concerning is that we're not just seeing a reaction against public health and health experts but rather a rejection of facts, rejection of long-established beliefs that are held by the medical community. And we're also seeing legislation being drafted, put into place across the country, that's really going to undermine public health and the healthcare sector based upon false narratives and denial of the facts with potentially harmful consequences.

JOHNSON:

Rivkees says the stakes for public health couldn't be higher than they are right now.

RIVKEES:

You know, we need to make sure the public understands who are the authoritative sources for public health and healthcare. And we really need to make sure that we continue to rely on continuous delivery of facts and reinforcement of who are the legitimate experts in the field. And it's also important that, you know, we reach out to those of us involved in legislative process, you know, making sure that individuals understand who they can turn to for their healthcare and public health questions.

JOHNSON:

You can read Rivkees' article using the link in the show notes.

Public health officers in the Pacific Islands will gather next week to discuss ways to improve population health in their jurisdictions. The 2023 Palau Health Summit will focus the discussion on the importance and impact of health equity. This is the summit toast Palau Minister of Health and Human Services, Gaafar Uherbelau, gave.

GAAFAR UHERBELAU:

We're trying to have an exchange of ideas and just ensuring that the community, as well as partners and stakeholders, know what exists in terms of services, including medical care, public health, and human services at the ministry. The second objective is looking at where we are now in terms of Palau's health status, looking at trends and social determinants of health and other indicators just to give us a sense of where we are in terms of overall status of health in Palau.

JOHNSON:

Uherbelau says the pandemic exposed gaps in access to health care, but it has also helped identify opportunities.

UHERBELAU:

Our COVID-19 pandemic response, both here in Palau and regionally, I think was an opportunity for us to really look at ways that we can work with different sectors, creating and strengthening partnerships with other agencies in Palau, as well as regionally being able to talk with other jurisdictions in the region, just sharing ideas and best practices and lessons learned throughout the pandemic.

JOHNSON:

And the pandemic, according to Uherbelau, has helped island leaders develop new strategies to address long standing challenges.

UHERBELAU:

It's definitely a springboard for future success if we follow the same roadmap. if you will, for different issues or other preexisting issues, such as dealing with non-communicable diseases and other health issues that were preexisting before the COVID-19 pandemic.

JOHNSON:

The first of its kind Palau Health Summit gets underway Monday and continues through the end of the week.

Also today, five Black women who made Her-Story are celebrated in a new ASTHO blog article offered in recognition of Black History Month. O'Keyla Cooper has more.

O’KEYLA COOPER:

The word history can be broken down into two parts: his and story. It is important to read between the lines to get the full story and to learn what we may not be taught. In ASTHO's latest blog, Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge pays homage to Black her-story, highlighting five of the many impactful contributions made by African American women that have changed the course of America. Read the full blog using the link found in the show notes.

JOHNSON:

Finally, this morning, there's still time to apply for ASTHO's Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program. Interested public health professionals have until February 28 to apply. Dozens of graduates have completed the program—many already have used their training to accelerate their careers. Get more information using the link in the show notes.

That'll do it for today's newscast. We're back Monday morning with more ASTHO news and information.

I'm Summer Johnson. You're listening to Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great weekend.