Opinion: America has health alarm fatigue. I know because I treat it

Summary: Have you stopped paying attention to public health news? You aren't alone. A doctor who works in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) says America is suffering from "alarm fatigue." In a hospital, when too many alarms go off, doctors can accidentally tune them out. Now, the same thing is happening with our national health agencies.

Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took over health policies, he has fired experts, cut back on recommended vaccines, and overseen a huge 2,200-case measles outbreak. Instead of getting mad, the public is just getting numb. In fact, a new survey shows only 11% of Americans would choose to listen to the CDC over their own pediatricians right now. The doctor warns that this numbness is dangerous. To survive, we can't just rely on panic or outrage. We need strong, independent systems and rules to keep us safe, just like a hospital does when the alarms get too loud.

For more details, see statnews at statnews.com/2026/03/13/public-health-alarm-fatigue-icu/?utm_campaign=rss (opens in new tab)