Rebuilding trust in public health: Beyond polarization

The global health landscape has entered a period of profound change. Official development assistance for health has sharply declined, while new U.S. policies threaten long-standing public health norms and undermine evidence-based guidance. Vaccine hesitancy, political interference in medical recommendations, and climate policy reversals illustrate a troubling erosion of scientific authority. These developments coincide with growing polarization, revealing that 'following the science' is neither straightforward nor free from uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how public health decisions were often made under evolving evidence, with limited transparency about risks, trade-offs, and unintended consequences. Subsequent international initiatives, such as the WHO's global agenda on Public Health and Social Measures, now seek to build a more balanced evidence base. Rebuilding public trust demands openness about uncertainty, acknowledgement of past missteps, and transparent communication of policy rationales. Structured after-action reviews and community engagement are essential to demonstrate accountability and learning. Ultimately, restoring confidence in science and public health will require humility, consistency, and cross-partisan collaboration to show that science is adaptive, responsive, and committed to improvement.