As COVID-19 spread across the country, public health officials became key spokespeople for simple prevention measures such as hand washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing. However, these actions were met with resistance from those who felt their individual freedoms and liberties were being challenged. Misinformation and conspiracy theories led to beliefs that the virus was a hoax and prevention measures were unnecessary. Efforts to limit public health authority resulted in reduced confidence from the public and an inability for public health officials to lead.

Our experts on this podcast episode explore what public health officials can do to build back public confidence in our public health infrastructure and offer lessons that work. Our experts will discuss how and why this has happened, and how we can remedy this as we enter into COVID-19 recovery and the largest vaccination campaign in decades.

Guests:

• Ngozi Ezike, MD, Director, Illinois Department of Public Health
• David Sundwall, MD, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health from 2005-2011 and ASTHO President, 2007-2008

Resources:

• Lessons Learned from the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands COVID-19 Response (ASTHO)
• David N. Sundwall: Restoring confidence in public health. It’s a crisis of trust. (The Salt Lake Tribune)
• Illinois Health Director Talks Building Trust In Black Areas Ahead Of COVID-19 Vaccine Event. (St. Louis Public Radio)
• Trust in Public Health Is Essential Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic (Journal of Hospital Medicine)
• Register for ASTHO’s COVID-19 TechXpo using this link