In recent decades, public health has become politicized – both the governmental enterprise and the core concepts. There is partisan and ideological disagreement about the role of government, and this has translated pretty directly into disparate views on the role of public health in society. This gap has widened over the last 40 years. The General Social Survey, conducted since
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by Toby D. Terwilliger, MD As several promising SARS-CoV-2 vaccines enter into Phase II and III clinical trials, it is incumbent on physicians and public health officials to keep the public informed regarding the requisite process of vaccine development. It is eminently imaginable that we may find ourselves in a situation where certain politicians pressure the FDA, pharmaceutical companies, and
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by Justin B. Moore, PhD, MS On November 6th the United States will hold the 2018 midterm elections. Midterm elections are notoriously low-turnout elections, with disenchantment and apathy usually carrying the day for many if not most eligible voters. However, these are not typical times that we’re living in. As public health is inherently political, this is a time when
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by Justin B. Moore, PhD, MS As I learned while teaching my first undergraduate public health course in 2004, public health is inherently political. In attempting to present the material in an apolitical manner, I failed miserably, (as indicated by my teaching evaluations). Contributing to my failure was undoubtedly the raging presidential election, my red state address, and my relatively
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