S3225: Countering Chaos and Manufactured Controversies in Children’s Health

Across US history, deceptive discourse has proven to be an effective means of creating policy climates that are favorable to measures that increase surveillance, control, exclusion, and punishment of social “others.” Recent examples related to children’s health include vaccine safety, health equity, immigrant access to Medicare, and more. How can pediatricians be equipped to diagnose and respond more efficiently and effectively? This session will move from theory to practice, outlining a conceptual framework for understanding patterns in deceptive public language and illustrating strategies and tactics for interrupting them.