Opinion: Steps to rebuild trust in public health

To rebuild trust in public health: Better communication, fewer mandates, and small wins Rebuilding trust in the CDC won't be quick or easy — especially in a divisive political season — but that doesn't make it any less important. Patrick Skerrett STAT

by Tom Frieden, former head of CDC

... In many countries — notably the United States — the pandemic dissolved trust between parts of the community and the public health system. How can that trust be restored? In a word: gradually. Trust is built in drops and lost in buckets.

I believe that three actions must be at the forefront of efforts to regain trust:

• improving communication
• making guidance and mandates limited, appropriate, and transparent
• demonstrating steady progress on health issues that matter to people  ...