Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Research Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Science , Women, Working/statistics & numerical data , Cardiologists/statistics & numerical data , Gender Equity , Research Personnel/trends , Brazil , Sex Factors , Health Personnel/trends , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Sex Distribution , Cardiologists/trends , Gender-Based Division of LaborSubject(s)
Budgets , Federal Government , Science/economics , Biomedical Research/economics , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/economics , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/therapy , Global Warming/economics , Global Warming/prevention & control , Humans , Public Health/economics , Racism/economics , Racism/prevention & control , Renewable Energy/economics , United States , United States Environmental Protection Agency/economics , United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration/economicsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mistrust in science and scientists may adversely influence the rate of COVID-19 vaccination and undermine public health initiatives to reduce virus transmission. METHODS: Students, staff and faculty responded to an email invitation to complete an electronic survey. Surveys included 21-items from the Trust in Science and Scientists Inventory questionnaire. Responses were coded so higher scores indicated a higher trust in science and scientists, A linear regression model including sex, age group, division, race and ethnicity, political affiliation, and history of COVID-19, was used to determine variables significantly associated with trust in science and scientists scores at the p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: Participants were mostly female (62.1%), Asian (34.7%) and White (39.5%) and students (70.6%). More than half identified their political affiliation as Democrat (65%). In the final regression model, all races and ethnicities had significantly lower mean trust in science and scientists scores than White participants [Black ([Formula: see text]= -0.42, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.43, p < 0.001); Asian ([Formula: see text]= -0.20, 95% CI: -0.24, -0.17, p < 0.001); Latinx ([Formula: see text]= -0.22, 95% CI: -0.27, -0.18, p < 0.001); Other ([Formula: see text]= -0.19, 95% CI: -0.26, -0.11, p < 0.001)]. Compared to those identifying as Democrat, all other political affiliations had significantly lower mean scores. [Republican ([Formula: see text] =-0.49, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.43, p < 0.0001); Independent ([Formula: see text] =-0.29, 95% CI: -0.33, -0.25, p < 0.0001); something else ([Formula: see text] =-0.19, 95% CI: -0.25, -0.12, p < 0.0001)]. Having had COVID-19 ([Formula: see text]= -0.10, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.06, p < 0.001) had significantly lower scores compared to those who did not have COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Despite the setting of a major research University, trust in science is highly variable. This study identifies characteristics that could be used to target and curate educational campaigns and university policies to address the COVID19 and future pandemics.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Science , Trust , Female , Humans , Male , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19 Vaccines , Faculty , Los Angeles , Pandemics , Students , UniversitiesABSTRACT
A solid knowledge base is one of the necessary conditions to assure health as a human right. The contemporary source of such knowledge are the sciences at large, which however presents a problem, since the scientific enterprise can - and has been - a source of human rights violations as well. The field of social studies of science (STS) takes an iconoclast approach to the science, providing much needed criticism of its claims of authority. Recently, however, when attacks from multiple sources attempt to undermine perfectly reasonable scientific developments, the STS approach may not provide the adequate tools to deal with such challenge, especially with regard to health issues. This essay explores, with examples, ways in which the critical stance of STS may be compatible with a defense of proper scientific knowledge - in fact, helping to define what that actually means - without falling in the trap of scientism.
Subject(s)
Physicians , Science , Humans , Social Sciences , Human RightsSubject(s)
Communication , Science , Biomedical Research , Cell Biology , Communicable Diseases , DNA , Environmental Health , Humans , Public Policy , Translational Research, BiomedicalABSTRACT
Anthony Fauci, MD, who announced he will step down as chief medical advisor to US President Joe Biden and as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, discusses best practices for conveying scientific information to the public in a polarized era.