Story perspectives

Republican Mistrust of Medicine Widening U.S. Health Gap

5/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Political polarization is widening U.S. health gaps because Republican mistrust of medicine reduces preventive care.
Researchers Neil O’Brian and Jay Van Bavel found that Republican distrust of doctors raises chronic disease risk.
During the Covid-19 pandemic the gap expanded beyond vaccine rates as conservatives avoided Covid and routine shots.
Red-state legislatures are repealing vaccine mandates while health official Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spreads anti-elite messaging, further eroding trust.

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Story summary

Political polarization is widening U.S. health gaps because Republican mistrust of medicine reduces preventive care.
Researchers Neil O’Brian and Jay Van Bavel found that Republican distrust of doctors raises chronic disease risk.
During the Covid-19 pandemic the gap expanded beyond vaccine rates as conservatives avoided Covid and routine shots.
Red-state legislatures are repealing vaccine mandates while health official Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spreads anti-elite messaging, further eroding trust.