We have a trust problem
“Public health has a trust problem.” “Trust in science has eroded.” “People don’t trust the medical establishment.” “Americans stopped trusting the government.” “Public trust in universities is collapsing.” “Can the news media even be trusted?”
We often hear sentiments like these that point to eroding trust in our societal institutions: from public health groups and medical establishments to science and governmental agencies, universities, and media outlets. Each of these cases of declining trust are complex, with several contributing factors, including the missteps of institutions and the people representing them.
But let’s home in on one factor they all have in common: the role of commercial actors, industries, and systems. While the drivers of mistrust are many, oftentimes commercial factors make institutions appear less credible and untrustworthy. This carries implications for those trying to solve the trust problem.
Links to Big Pharma undermined trust in public health's COVID-19 response
Public health took a major trust hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Was a part of this the way public health entities miscommunicated risk and uncertainty? Sure! But the perception of public health policies and practices enriching the pharmaceutical industry also drove people to question where the sector's loyalties lie.
Corporate science undermines trust in all science
Science is still more trusted than other institutions but has seen declines among some groups, with trust levels remaining volatile. Have scientists been too distant from regular people who fund their work to remain trusted? Yes. Yet, when people frequently hear that the scientific record is rife with biased industry-funded research, that corporate studies run policy agendas, and corporations use psychological science to addict, mislead, and deceive consumers, their trust in science dwindles.
The business of healthcare undermines trust in providers
Doctors are still the most trusted group when it comes to health information, but rates are the lowest in two decades. Do negative clinical encounters with biased providers contribute to trust declines? Absolutely. At the same time, when physicians' salaries depend on how much they can bill insurance companies, healthcare provision is run as a business, and everyone knows someone who’s received a surprise medical bill with eye-popping prices, belief that doctors always act in the patient’s best interests (instead of their own) is shaken.