How the hantavirus outbreak highlights urgent need to rebuild trust in medicine

News of the hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship is a pointed reminder of protecting progress in the fight against lethal diseases, wrote Stephen Parodi, MD, executive vice president with The Permanente Federation, in a recent Physicians Weekly commentary. Despite growing mistrust in science, Dr. Parodi shared his optimism that the medical community has an opportunity to talk about trustworthy medical information in new ways and highlight the value of preventive medicine.

Dr. Parodi, an infectious disease physician himself, explored the power of prevention and vaccinations for once-commonplace diseases. While there is no hantavirus vaccine, existing immunizations are recognized as one of the most powerful tools of prevention and are estimated by the World Health Organization to have saved 154 million lives since 1974.

“But there is a catch. Vaccines only work if people have access to them,” said Dr. Parodi. “And then they need to choose to take them. We face a supreme challenge in restoring public trust and support in these life-saving preventive treatments.”

The power of prevention by the numbers

Despite COVID-19 vaccines saving an estimated 3.2 million lives in the first 2 years after their introduction, public skepticism around vaccines and public health has grown significantly in recent years, added Dr. Parodi. Estimates show only around 50% of children received a vaccination for influenza for the 2024–2025 season, down from 62% in 2019 — while pediatric deaths from influenza recently hit a 15-year high.

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Dr. Parodi shared the development of the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine, which prevents infections that can lead to cancer, as another example of prevention driving the delivery of high-quality medicine. The Kaiser Permanente model of value-based care puts a priority on preventive, evidence-based medicine, which reduces health risks, improves early detection of diseases, and increases overall quality of care.

Because surveys show most Americans still turn to their doctor as a trusted source of guidance on vaccines, Dr. Parodi argues there’s opportunity in this moment for physicians to communicate the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in innovative ways. This can include building a robust social media presence and using new AI tools to counter vaccine misinformation online.

“Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to engage patients in informed decisions — saying yes to prevention, yes to vaccination, yes to freedom from these diseases,” said Dr. Parodi. “It is equally crucial that we meet people where they are, listen to their concerns, and do so without judgement, creating space for honest dialogue and understanding.”

Read the full commentary in Physicians Weekly here.