Science versus Anti-Science in Public Health Law & Policy

Catalog description

From bleach to vaccines, misinformation and the anti-science movement threaten decades of public health gains. Effective public health law and policy is based on evidence, but policymakers at every level act in ways that are contrary to science. Politicians deploy disinformation to pass harmful health policies, enabled by the misconceptions of constituents. This course examines the use and disuse of scientific evidence in public health law and policy and equips students with skills to advocate for evidence-based government action. We’ll look at examples of the eroding influence of experts, institutions, and scientists and learn strategies for promoting trust. The class will dissect the use of ‘facts’ by judges and lawmakers. We will consider strategies to improve the quality of information that people in power rely upon and the roles of experts and influencers as well as traditional and social media. Students will explore use and disuse of evidence in law and policy within specific public health topics such as vaccines, reproductive health, water fluoridation, wellness, and climate change.