Virtuous but Invisible Interplay of Science, Policy and Population Health

Scientists and the research continuum -- medical and public health research -- are essentially invisible to the American public.  The invisibility of scientists has contributed to an erosion of public trust in science; visibility and advocacy by scientists is valuable in shaping public policy to improve population health. A majority of Americans (70%) cannot name a living scientist and more than half (56%) do not know where research is conducted in the U.S., according to polling commissioned by Research!America. Scientists are considered to be trustworthy spokespersons for science, according to a majority of Americans surveyed (81%) yet they remain largely invisible to the public. Lack of awareness leads to misunderstanding and misconceptions among the public regarding the health and economic benefits of research. Controversies raised about vaccines is an example of the disconnect between scientists and the public, underscoring the difficulty in debunking myths about the risk verses benefit of immunizations. Fewer than 60 percent of Americans are confident in the current system in the U.S. for evaluating the safety of vaccines, and recommendations for when they should be given, as compared to 85 percent in 2008, a disturbing decline over the last several years, according to national public opinion polls commissioned by Research!America.  A recent AAAS/Pew research poll shows 86% of surveyed AAAS members say childhood vaccines such as MMR should be required, compared to 68% of the general public.