A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph..
Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 80F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: September 9, 2026 @ 11:36 am
September 9, 2026
Norbert Herzog and David Niesel

Norbert Herzog and David Niesel
A recent survey of the public about their trust in science and medicine was reassuring: scientists and physicians are well-respected. But it also raised some concerns. The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer found that nearly 70% of people surveyed from 16 countries believe at least one medical conspiracy theory or believe misinformation about health, food, medicine or vaccines. And boy, there are some wild ones out there!
Belief in these claims is widespread and not limited to any one segment or group in the population. The numbers are essentially the same regardless of education, political affiliation, ethnicity or age. In the U.S. today, misinformation has no boundaries. Inaccurate medical information has broad consequences. It makes it harder for people to find accurate information and make informed healthcare decisions.
Most people in the survey (86%) understand that as a country, we are divided on healthcare issues. While there are differences of opinion, misinformation and conspiracy health theories are a divisive issue for many. Today, it is thought that more than 60% of people believe that they can perform some tasks at the level of a physician, such as how to medicate, how to treat an ailment and the best preventative care. Luckily, most people still believe that doctors are substantially better at diagnosis and treatment of disease.
The use of AI to find health information is having a profound influence — both positive and negative. It seems more common for people to use AI and internet resources to provide advice about their diet and nutritional needs. This is happening at a time when AI sources like Open Evidence for physicians are also becoming mainstream consultative tools. More than 600,000 physicians use this tool for clinical decision making. Many believe that it saves time and improves diagnosis and medication approaches. One survey showed that more than 80% of physicians use AI to some extent in their practice. We say if this is a valuable medical tool, they should use it!
How do we provide average citizens with reliable information to understand medicine and science in an environment like the one we live in today? We believe that scientists and healthcare providers have an essential role in directing the public to reliable and reputable information sources. Not only does the information have to be accurate, but it must be understandable.
There is hope! A recent survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that about 70% of Americans trust scientists to act in the public’s best interest. Despite the overall assault on vaccines by the government and political special interest groups, the public expressed about the same level of trust for vaccine scientists (69%). This far exceeds the public trust in politicians (33%), journalists (49%), religious leaders (47%) and business leaders (30%). Providing timely and accurate health information is an important obligation for scientists and physicians to improve the health of all of us.
Medical Discovery News is a weekly radio and print broadcast highlighting medical and scientific breakthroughs hosted by Professor Emeritus Norbert Herzog and Professor David Niesel, biomedical scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Learn more at www.medicaldiscoverynews.com

Norbert Herzog and David Niesel
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