Fear Travels Faster Than Facts — And It’s Costing Us Public Health

In today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever to click “share.” But harder than ever to find the truth.

Whether it’s cancer, autism, chronic illness, or vaccines, misinformation is everywhere — fueled not by science, but by fear. It spreads faster than facts, louder than reason, and often comes from the most unqualified voices imaginable.

Some of the most viral content today doesn’t come from trained doctors, public health experts, or scientists. It comes from influencers, “wellness moms,” talk show hosts, political commentators, and fringe personalities — armed with opinions, not expertise.

We’re watching a dangerous trend unfold: people are trading decades — sometimes centuries — of science for social media hot takes and emotional anecdotes.

It’s not just misleading. It’s harmful.

In the case of autism, some are ready to throw out decades of evidence-based research in favor of a “new journey,” not grounded in science but in suspicion. The result? They’re not only undermining knowledge — they’re actively shutting down support, care, and the very solutions families desperately need.

So who am I to be asking for evidence-based science?

I’m a C student from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. But I’ve spent more than two decades working alongside experts in medical education, prevention, and community health.

I’ve been in the room when lives are on the line — and I know this: there’s no substitute for evidence-based science. It doesn’t matter what someone “thinks.” What matters is what the evidence shows.

We cannot cut programs that help patients and families thrive, then pretend we’re solving anything.

And don’t be fooled — while some shout about bold new “paths” in autism or wellness, they’re often paving those roads by defunding care, dismantling support systems, and leaving vulnerable people behind.

The bike may look shiny, but the wheels are coming off.

This isn’t building anything new. It’s blowing up the progress we’ve made.

And that’s the real danger: this fear-fueled misinformation machine is tearing down the scientific foundation that took generations to build — brick by brick.

Public health isn’t perfect, but it has been built slowly and carefully by experts across disciplines — epidemiologists, physicians, researchers, and public health workers — collaborating through data, experience, and real-world outcomes.

This isn’t something we can casually replace with DIY YouTube videos or anecdotal TikToks.

It’s like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic — waving a shiny new goal while ignoring the fact that the ship is taking on water.

We cannot dismantle credible science and expect to stay afloat.

Before you trust it — or worse, share it — ask yourself:

Is this coming from a physician?

A scientist?

Someone trained in public health or medicine?

Is it based on evidence — or just emotion?

Fear travels fast, but it also distracts.

It distracts from the very real work of improving lives, preventing disease, and providing care. It confuses the public. It pits parents against public health. It replaces rigor with rhetoric.

If we’re going to do right by people — especially the most vulnerable — we must return to evidence-based science.

We need leadership that listens to experts, and communities that value truth over noise.

Because when we ignore science, we don’t just lose direction — we lose care.

We lose solutions.

We lose lives.