Public Trust in Scientists Improves After Pandemic

Senior officials from the CDC, FDA, and NIH acknowledged their roles in undermining public trust during the COVID-19 pandemic during a House subcommittee hearing. They emphasized the need for greater transparency, better communication, and community engagement to rebuild trust. Meanwhile, a Pew Research Center report revealed a slight increase in public confidence in scientists, now at 76%, though this is still significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. The rise in trust is primarily driven by improvements among Republicans, who had seen the steepest declines during the pandemic. Despite these gains, public confidence in scientists remains fragile, reflecting ongoing concerns about misinformation and public perception. The findings highlight a complex landscape where trust in science is gradually improving but still faces significant challenges.