Trust in Science Is Focus of Grand Rounds Discussion

Among the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an escalation in misinformation and misunderstanding of scientific evidence. A recent Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Grand Rounds discussion examined ways to improve communications and foster public trust in science—clearing the way to improve health on the population level.

Columbia Mailman School Dean Linda P. Fried moderated a panel discussion with CUIMC Dean Katrina Armstrong, award-winning science journalist Nsikan Akpan, and Columbia Mailman Vice Dean for Research Strategy and Innovation Gary Miller.

Trust is fundamental to all our lives, Dean Armstrong observed. But despite copious research, it remains little understood. One thing studies make clear, however, is that having trust—believing people or entities are acting in our interest—is good for our health. But contrary to what you might expect, there is little evidence that this effect is driven by how much we follow our doctor’s orders. Even so, trust in science no doubt eases the job of public health officials.

The recent drop in the public‘s trust in science occurred around the time the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduced the flow of information about COVID-19 to journalists and the public. “We saw early on that information faucet turn off,” said Akpan. Journalists stepped in to fill the void, relaying information from experts. But this way of doing things lacked coordination and information could be contradictory—such as around guidance on masking.  

More generally, Dean Fried suggested that public misunderstanding may be linked to the way scientists communicate. “We tend to lead with the caveats,” she said. Miller added that scientists are trained to communicate with other scientists using technical terminology. They need additional training to shift their communication style to be better understood by the media and the public, he said.

Scientists should not hold back on explaining the limitations of their research, Akpan asserted. It is helpful if they put their findings into the larger context of what the weight of evidence says. Scientists are crucial partners in fighting misinformation. Research shows that facts must be repeated over and over, and they need to come from many different people. “That’s where scientists can really step in,” he said.

According to Armstrong, research shows a deficit in trust across the political spectrum. What actually drives distrust is racism and discrimination. Too often, we blame people for their lack of trust. Instead, she said, “it is our trustworthiness, our addressing racism and discrimination that will enable us to build trust with communities. … What drives [trust] are the fundamental choices we’re all making day in and day out.”