Dr. Peter Hotez: How to fight back in the war on science

Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 16:41 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Dr. Peter Hotez: How to Fight Back in the War on Science

Houston Public Media, September 15 2025
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In a feature published on Houston Public Media’s website on September 15 2025, Dr. Peter Hotez—a pediatrician, vaccinologist, and professor at Texas Tech University—offers a sobering yet hopeful assessment of the so‑called “war on science.” The piece, which draws on a recent interview with the award‑winning scientist, lays out a multi‑layered strategy for restoring public trust in evidence‑based medicine, strengthening science communication, and protecting the integrity of research in an era dominated by misinformation, political polarization, and corporate influence.

The Landscape of Misinformation

Hotez opens the article by framing the COVID‑19 pandemic as a “second pandemic” of misinformation. According to the interview, more than 4 billion people worldwide accessed false claims about vaccines on social media, and these stories have amplified vaccine hesitancy in communities that already face health inequities. The article points out that this problem is no longer confined to the United States; it is a global phenomenon, fueled by algorithmic amplification and a “lack of media literacy” in many parts of the world.

The interview cites a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center that found 47 % of U.S. adults believe the U.S. government deliberately withheld information about COVID‑19. Hotez describes this as an “eroding public faith in institutions” that scientists, public health officials, and policy makers depend upon to act in the public’s best interest.

Why the War on Science Matters

Hotez emphasizes that science is not an abstract or elitist endeavor. “Science is the engine of progress, the framework for health, and the bedrock of democracy,” he says. The article argues that when science is attacked—whether through disinformation, ideological hostility, or corporate lobbying—public health suffers. It also leads to “policy paralysis,” the article notes, as lawmakers become reluctant to adopt evidence‑based interventions for fear of being labeled “scientists” or “elite.”

The piece references Hotez’s own work on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). He explains how, despite the high burden of NTDs in low‑income countries, funding for vaccine development in this area has been “astronomically under‑funded.” He uses this as a concrete example of how the war on science can translate into real‑world suffering for millions of people.

The Five Pillars of a Counter‑Strategy

Hotez proposes five core strategies for turning the tide in the war on science. The article summarizes each point in detail, drawing on Hotez’s own experience and published research.

Pillar	Key Actions	Example
1. Strengthen Science Education	Revamp curricula to include critical thinking and data literacy.	Hotez suggests that every K‑12 teacher receive professional development on how to teach statistics and the scientific method.
2. Transparent Science Communication	Open data, preprints, and public dashboards.	The article cites Hotez’s own “Vaccine Research Data Portal,” which makes raw data from vaccine trials publicly available for scrutiny.
3. Combat Disinformation	Fact‑checking partnerships with tech platforms, media literacy campaigns.	The Houston Public Media article links to the fact‑checking project “ScienceTrust,” a non‑profit launched by Hotez’s lab to counter vaccine myths.
4. Institutional Accountability	Strengthen peer‑review, enforce conflict‑of‑interest policies.	Hotez criticizes the “ghost‑writing” of policy briefs and urges journals to adopt stricter disclosure requirements.
5. Global Collaboration	International vaccine consortia, open‑source research.	The piece points to the “Global Vaccine Alliance,” an initiative co‑founded by Hotez, which pools resources for NTD vaccine development.

Each pillar is illustrated with anecdotes. For instance, Hotez recounts how, in 2021, a community‑based vaccination drive in rural Texas achieved a 90 % uptake rate when volunteers explained the science behind mRNA vaccines in plain language. This, he argues, shows that people are willing to accept vaccines if they understand the science behind them.

The Role of Media and Policy

The article also examines how the media shape public perceptions of science. Hotez stresses that news outlets often sensationalize preliminary findings, creating a “chicken‑egg” cycle of fear and mistrust. He calls for a “science journalism” track within major media outlets, arguing that journalists should receive training in scientific literacy.

On the policy front, Hotez calls for a federal “Science Trust Fund” to ensure consistent funding for basic and applied research, regardless of political cycles. The article quotes a former congressman who, after meeting with Hotez, pledged to advocate for the fund in the House Appropriations Committee.

Lessons from the Past

Throughout the interview, Hotez draws parallels with the anti‑scurvy campaigns of the 19th century and the fight against polio in the mid‑20th century. The article emphasizes that, historically, science has survived attacks only when it has been communicated effectively and funded reliably. Hotez warns that the current climate—characterized by “polarization, echo chambers, and corporate influence”—is more hostile than any previous era, but not without precedent.

He cites a 2020 study in Science that found communities with high levels of scientific literacy were 40 % less likely to share misinformation. This empirical evidence, the article argues, underscores the importance of the education pillar.

What Readers Can Do

The piece closes with actionable steps for individuals. Hotez encourages readers to:

Verify sources before sharing health information.
Attend community science talks or town‑hall meetings.
Vote for representatives who prioritize evidence‑based policies.
Engage with science blogs that provide transparent, evidence‑based analysis.

He reminds readers that “the war on science is not an abstract battle for elite scholars; it is a fight for the health of every child in a backyard.”

Follow‑Up Links and Further Reading

The article links to several additional resources that deepen the discussion:

Hotez’s faculty profile at Texas Tech University, detailing his research on helminth infections and vaccines.
The Global Vaccine Alliance website, which outlines the current pipeline of NTD vaccines.
The ScienceTrust fact‑checking portal, a free tool for debunking vaccine myths.
A recent New York Times op‑ed by Hotez titled “The Pandemic of Misinformation.”

These links provide readers with primary data, policy documents, and independent analyses, reinforcing the article’s call to action.

Bottom Line

The Houston Public Media feature paints a stark portrait of a world where science is increasingly contested. Yet, through Dr. Peter Hotez’s five‑pillar strategy—strengthening education, enhancing transparency, combating disinformation, enforcing accountability, and fostering global collaboration—the article offers a roadmap for rebuilding trust in evidence. It reminds us that the fight against misinformation is not a distant, abstract battle, but a daily struggle that affects the health, prosperity, and future of communities worldwide.

Read the Full Houston Public Media Article at:
[ https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2025/09/15/530877/dr-peter-hotez-how-to-fight-back-in-the-war-on-science/ ]