From a vaccine mascot to business leadership, lessons for the US from Brazil’s public health system in building public trust and keeping it

An enduring sense of ownership led businesses and citizens to defend the country’s public health system.

By: Jessica A.J. Rich, Marquette University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 8, 2026

Words: 1,531

Last Updated: 3 months, 3 weeks ago

By Jessica A.J. Rich, Marquette University

Public health institutions are under threat by populist governments across the globe.

From Budapest to Jakarta, Indonesia, public health agencies are being stripped of funding and independence. Meanwhile, disinformation has sown distrust in scientific experts. The results are already visible through the return of diseases once thought eliminated or controlled, like measles and whooping cough.

The United States is no exception to this trend. Since …

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