The American Public Health Association (APHA) 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo in Minneapolis was a hub of critical conversations about the future of public health. One particularly insightful session featured Dr. Arnab Mukherjea, a Professor of Public Health at California State University East Bay, and JMIR Infodemiology author, interviewed by JMIR Publications CEO and founder, Gunther Eysenbach. Their discussion centered on the urgent need to rebuild trust in public health and science, a challenge thrown into sharp relief by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch The Interview
Bridging the Gap Between Science and Community
Dr. Mukherjea highlighted a critical disconnect: while public health professionals prioritize health outcomes, the public often prioritizes economic stability and personal freedom. This misalignment, compounded by the rampant spread of misinformation through community channels like WhatsApp and Signal, eroded public trust in scientific institutions and public health interventions.
The conversation emphasized the need for scientists to actively engage with communities, transparently share research findings, and participate in public scholarship. He stressed that simply publishing in academic journals is not enough; researchers must make a concerted effort to disseminate information through community forums, faith-based institutions, and other accessible channels.
Open Access: A Crucial Tool for Knowledge Dissemination
Both Arnab and Gunther underscored the vital role of open access publishing in democratizing knowledge. Open access journals like JMIR Infodemiology break down barriers to information, ensuring that research is freely available to everyone, including those in developing countries who may lack access to expensive subscription-based journals. Arnab further suggested that publishers could facilitate knowledge translation by providing community briefs and fact sheets alongside scholarly articles, making complex research findings more digestible for the public.
Moving Forward: Collaboration and Strategic Communication
The interview concluded with a call for strategic and collaborative efforts to combat misinformation and rebuild trust in public health. This includes:
This important discussion at APHA 2024 served as a reminder that rebuilding trust in public health requires a multifaceted approach. By prioritizing community engagement, transparent communication, and open access to information, we can bridge the gap between science and society and pave the way for a healthier future.
Read Arnab Mukherjea’s JMIR Infodemiology article here. Watch the full interview here.
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