For nearly two years, the deliberate spread of false information has posed an increasing threat to public health. Today, this threat has reached a critical point, fueled by advances in artificial intelligence, political maneuvering, and the resurgence of anti-science sentiment. The consequences are already visible: preventable diseases are making a comeback, and public trust in essential health practices is eroding.
The AI-Powered Disinformation Machine
The rise of artificial intelligence has dramatically accelerated the spread of health disinformation. While AI promises advancements in healthcare, it also empowers bad actors to create and disseminate convincing falsehoods at scale. OpenAI’s Sora 2, for example, allows anyone to generate realistic but fabricated videos with minimal technical expertise.
The problem isn’t limited to video. AI chatbots, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and even China’s DeepSeek, are increasingly saturated with pro-Kremlin propaganda. Russia floods the internet with disinformation to contaminate training data, effectively turning AI models into unwitting amplifiers of state-sponsored falsehoods.
Political Interference and Eroded Defenses
The current crisis isn’t solely a technological issue; it’s also a direct result of political decisions. Under recent administrations, U.S. defenses against disinformation have been deliberately weakened. Executive orders have removed constraints on the spread of harmful content, and agencies dedicated to countering foreign influence have been dismantled or defunded.
The shuttering of the State Department’s Foreign Malign Influence Center, despite its effective work, exemplifies this shift. Meanwhile, state legislators are actively introducing bills that challenge evidence-based public health practices, including vaccination and pasteurized milk. Over 400 such bills are under consideration across the country, with 350 specifically targeting vaccines.
The Return of Anti-Science Sentiment
The most alarming development is the resurgence of anti-vaccine groups and the promotion of discredited theories. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services represents a turning point. His long history of promoting false claims about vaccines, alongside figures like Andrew Wakefield (who fabricated a link between the MMR vaccine and autism), has legitimized anti-science sentiment at the highest levels of government.
Despite warnings from Nobel laureates, former Surgeons General, and leading medical organizations, Kennedy has unilaterally altered COVID-19 vaccine policies without citing scientific evidence. This has emboldened anti-vaccine groups to redouble their efforts, publishing reports that ignore peer-reviewed research and cite retracted studies from predatory journals.
Measurable Consequences: Disease Resurgence
The consequences of this disinformation campaign are already visible. Measles, declared eliminated from the U.S. decades ago, is making a comeback. The CDC has documented over 1,681 cases this year—the highest count since 1992. Vaccination rates for kindergartners against measles, mumps, rubella, and other preventable diseases have dropped, falling below the 95% threshold needed to maintain herd immunity.
The erosion of public trust in science, combined with weakened defenses against disinformation, has created a perfect storm for disease outbreaks. Unless urgent action is taken to restore scientific integrity, strengthen public health defenses, and combat the spread of false information, more outbreaks will follow. The current trajectory is unsustainable, and the consequences will be felt for years to come.
The crisis demands a coordinated response from policymakers, public health officials, and the scientific community. The future of public health depends on it
