August 6, 2025
In 2000, the United States achieved a major public health milestone when measles was declared eliminated. Yet, the latest CDC data reports 1,333 confirmed measles cases across the country in 2025, and some suspect that number may be even higher. With the vaccination status of 96% of these cases classified as “unvaccinated or unknown,” it’s unimaginable to consider that this disease has made such a dramatic comeback in the world of today’s modern medicine. Yet, the growing measles epidemic points to the many complexities, and dangers, of growing vaccine hesitancy.
In this recent episode of Health Matters, a podcast series presented in partnership with Health@WPP, GCI Health, Burson and Fierce Pharma, Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, unpacks the roots of vaccine hesitancy, the steady erosion of trust in science and the pharmaceutical industry and the spread of health misinformation and disinformation. He also offers invaluable strategies for proactively and positively communicating with the public to rebuild trust.
Given how polarizing vaccine discourse has become, Dr. Offit and his colleagues are working to foster better, fact-based conversations across communities. “I feel like at some level, science is losing its place as a source of truth,” he says. “It’s just becoming another voice in the room.”
In an in-depth exchange, Dr. Offit shares actionable strategies for overcoming hesitancy and rebuilding industry trust. From leveraging the power of trusted local influencers to prioritizing industry transparency to putting a “human face” on companies and organizations that advance scientific innovation, the conversation with Dr. Offit is a must-listen for anyone in healthcare communications and public policy.
Listen to the full episode here.