In a WTOP-FM interview, Health Affairs July issue author Richard Hughes IV, a partner with the Washington, DC law firm of Epstein, Becker, Green discusses his Narrative Matters essay, which reflects on the dangers of politics influencing public health decision making.
Hughes says that his public health career – in state government, law, academia, and as a public policy executive at a pharmaceutical company – taught him about the complexities involved in making evidence-based policy decisions.
He notes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine skepticism and misinformation was widespread, fueled by social media, court rulings and political rhetoric. To prepare for future pandemics, Hughes recommends strengthening vaccine policy, making the information available and understandable to even the most vulnerable – and be vigilant in preventing political gamesmanship.