Finding Shared Values in Today’s Toughest Health Conversations
It’s no secret that politicized health conversations can feel like walking through a minefield. Whether we’re talking about vaccines, nutrition, or climate-related health risks, strong opinions are everywhere. It feels like the loudest voices are pulling us apart.
The important thing we’ve learned lately from conversations with people on all sides of these debates is that when we slow down enough to truly listen, we often discover that underneath disagreements are shared values. We may differ in our strategies to reach certain goals, but we want the same things: healthy families, safe communities, fair treatment, and the chance to live our best lives.
That’s a starting point worth holding onto.
Why Listening Matters More Than Ever
Mutual respect is the key to trust. It begins with being curious enough to ask questions, to listen reflectively, and to avoid rushing to correct.
The AAMC’s Principles of Trustworthiness identifies listening as a “gateway behavior” to build trust. When people feel heard, they also feel open to receiving new information. This is true when a doctor explains test results, a friend talks about the latest health trend, or a patient discusses treatment options with family during dinner.
Listening also helps us spot what’s driving someone’s initial curiosity and decisions. Sometimes, a health choice that looks “irrational” initially may make perfect sense after we understand the motivations and values behind that choice.
What Shared Values Look Like in Action
Finding shared values isn’t about pretending we agree on everything. It’s about building relationships that can carry us through disagreements without breaking trust.
Here are a few examples:
- The Why Should I Trust You? project hosts respectful conversations between wide-ranging perspectives, such as representatives from the Make America Healthy Movement (MAHA) and public health and medical professionals. The project regularly illustrates how talking and listening help common goals and values rise to the surface, which can re-center discussions and foster the potential to collaborate.
- The Science Trust Project, led by the American Physical Society (APS), trains scientists to counter rumors about science by using open, empathetic conversations rather than merely correcting misconceptions. It develops skills in humility, curiosity, and active listening to build public trust in science.
Moving Forward Together
Members of the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science are committed to ensuring individuals are empowered to make informed and personally appropriate health decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities based on accurate, understandable, and evidence-based information. Our aim is to:
- Lead with curiosity
- Name shared values and common goals
- Lean into the nuance of science while acknowledging the importance of evidence
Building trust is hard. It takes commitment, time, and partners. This is more important than ever as our nation’s public health infrastructure is challenged. Yet, seeking common values based on respect is a good place to restart. This step is more than simply “altruistic”, it’s a powerful grounding force.
