President’s Letter from Bill Steinbach – PIDS Commitment to Science and Our Patients

PIDS will continue to lead with our partners in infectious diseases, pediatrics, and all of medicine. I have heard from numerous Society members wanting to voice their frustrations, their anxiety, and their fears over the colossal changes unfurling across healthcare in the United States. I want to attest to you that your Society will persevere in advocating for our patients and the tested and proven resources we know protect and promote the health and well-being of children against infectious diseases. That is the bedrock of why this Society exists.

There is no denying the healthcare-related actions taken and their breakneck pace are alarming. We’ve already witnessed the halting of a vital publication (MMWR), the cleansing of data relating to things like patient demographics or climate, and now censorship of “forbidden terms” in CDC-produced research submitted to journals. Science that is forced to pass a purity test ceases to be science.

While introspection and sincere improvement are always needed in every enterprise, including eliminating waste and pursuing a grand and coordinated strategy, these actions do not meet that standard. I think we share a fear that these steps will endanger the health of our patients and their families.

As scientists and medical professionals, we must focus on solid science and facts, as well as the messaging of those to all parties. Perhaps we collectively became complacent in believing the general public understood what we had learned and lived over our careers. This can be an opportunity to elevate the discourse, to help get lay people up to speed on what science means. This messaging has to go beyond just echo chambers of people that think like you, and beyond red versus blue anything, and instead it has to reach actual people. 

I recall the explanation I once heard where an expert was outlining that all parents sincerely think they are doing the best thing for their child. Even those who withhold vaccines think in their hearts that this is the best for their young children. Messaging to individual parents or larger groups must focus on the people and the facts and not lead with the emotion, however raw that may be.

As pediatric specialists, we must share the skills we’ve honed. We sit on specialized knowledge and the ability to communicate it in simple terms for the benefit of our patients and their families. Whether we are speaking with our institutional colleagues, in our communities, or online, let’s do our part to ensure everyone can understand the consequences of these above actions.

As citizens, we must be involved in the conversations surrounding healthcare and public health. Regardless of your political leaning, we can agree acts not founded in bona fide evidence will jeopardize public health. Help your elected officials, across all levels, by being a resource for questions they may have on infectious diseases or simply inform them of our specialty. They are listening to someone on these matters, and if we are not careful, it will clearly not be us.

Hopefully, this will get us started as we find our footing to continue protecting children and public health. We are going to be in this for the long haul together. Rely on your Society, your colleagues, and your loved ones for the support needed to persevere. We are not resigned to fatalism, so go advocate for our patients and each other.