Brewing Better Health Episode 5: Why Data and Trust Matter in Public Health

May 5, 2026 - 13:25

In the latest episode of the Brewing Better Health series, public health experts Matt Strickland, Ph.D., and Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci, M.D., MPH, sit down to explore the delicate balance between data, risk, and communication in shaping public health outcomes. The conversation centers on a simple but often overlooked truth: even the best data is useless if the public does not trust the people presenting it.

Strickland, a researcher focused on health data analytics, argues that numbers alone rarely change behavior. He points to the COVID-19 pandemic as a clear example. Public health officials had access to vast amounts of infection and mortality data, but inconsistent messaging and a lack of transparency eroded public confidence. Without trust, he says, even the most accurate risk assessments fall flat.

Akpinar-Elci adds that risk perception is not purely logical. People weigh personal experience, cultural background, and emotional cues more heavily than statistical models. She stresses that public health leaders must meet communities where they are, using plain language and acknowledging uncertainty rather than presenting data as absolute fact.

The episode also touches on the role of local health departments. Both experts agree that rebuilding trust starts at the community level. When people see familiar faces delivering consistent, honest information, they are more likely to follow guidance. The takeaway is clear: effective public health is not just about collecting data. It is about building relationships that make that data matter.