Radio Advisory 278: Dr. Emily Oster on fighting misinformation and rebuilding trust in healthcare
Dec 2, 2025
Dr. Emily Oster, economist, Brown professor, and founder of ParentData, who translates data for parents and public health. She talks about how panic headlines and low-quality studies fuel distrust. She explains why people now demand reasons behind guidance. She outlines ways clinicians can communicate clearly, use questions to lower conflict, and anchor advice to the best evidence.
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Audience Still Panics After Weak COVID Study
- Emily described people coming to her after a weak COVID study hit headlines and still feeling freaked out.
- Even knowing how to evaluate the paper didn't prevent emotional reactions.
Pandemic Raised Expectations For 'Why' Explanations
- The pandemic eroded trust because authorities often told people what to do without explaining why.
- People now expect reasons and want to do their own research rather than accept directives blindly.
Bad Studies Look Legitimate And Spread Fast
- There are more superficially credible journals and outlets publishing weak or low-quality studies.
- Media amplification of such studies confuses patients and burdens clinicians to explain flaws.