Evidence-Based Medicine Must Lead the Way in Ensuring Public Health
December 9, 2024
As a professional medical society on the front lines of pulmonary and critical care medicine, the members of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) witness daily the profound impact that scientific advancements and a robust public health infrastructure can have on protecting lives and improving health outcomes.
CHEST supports the fundamental responsibility of a public health system to seek out and apply evidence-based medicine in the development of sound policies essential to preventing illness and promoting a healthy society. When these standards are adhered to, history has proven that we can conquer disease and improve quality of life.
Several vaccine-preventable diseases have recently seen a resurgence. Pertussis cases have increased fivefold in the past year. Measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000 due to vaccination efforts, but there have since been several major outbreaks in areas with larger numbers of people who are unvaccinated. The fact that most people in the US are vaccinated against measles has prevented these case clusters from becoming an epidemic.
Vaccination is one of the most powerful tools to prevent disease, reduce hospitalizations, and protect vulnerable populations. The stakes are especially high for patients with respiratory diseases and compromised immune systems—patients who depend on herd immunity and sound public health measures to survive. Vaccines are not only lifesaving; they are critical to reducing the burden on our health care system and preventing the cascading effects of preventable illnesses.
A patient’s willingness to adhere to a treatment recommendation is founded on trust in their clinician and access to the most reliable, up-to-date medical information. Without a central source of verified medical information and tested treatment outcomes, dangerous, life-threatening misinformation can and will proliferate.
For this reason, CHEST firmly recommends that evidence-based science continues to underpin decision-making, policies, and programs concerning the medical health of all people—and that those entrusted to lead the health care effort of our nation be equally convicted of this belief and enact policies accordingly.
The health of society relies on the credibility of our public health system. CHEST remains steadfast in its mission to improve patient care and outcomes and advance evidence-based medicine through education, research, and advocacy. Together with other like-minded organizations, we will continue to call for policies that promote the health and well-being of all.