Follow the science

FigureLike many of you, I find myself inundated with new developments in health care sciences. At the same time, I monitor the ever-changing landscape of political news, and I am increasingly concerned. Recently, I read an editorial in the American Journal of Nursing titled “The Death of Clinical Practice Guidelines” by Dr. Carl A. Kirton.1 Kirton captured with precision the stigmas and challenges in health care that affect his practice—and ours. One theme in particular struck me: the growing politicization of health care. The public, which rely on us to provide sound, evidence-based guidelines for their health decisions, are often as confused as we are. It begs the question: What is happening to our understanding of the guidelines we should follow—and, ultimately, whom do we trust? The answer, I believe, remains the same: follow the science. Nursing and health care are built on science. The science of nursing is alive and well, grounded in a professional body of knowledge developed through the scientific method. It draws from biology, psychology, medicine, and other disciplines, all working together to drive evidence-based care. Let's also consider the changes we're seeing in the long-proven effectiveness of childhood vaccines—interventions that all but eradicated many once-devastating childhood diseases. A striking example is the return of measles to our schools. At the time of this writing, measles in 2025 had tragically claimed the lives of three children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of September 30, 2025, there were 1544 confirmed measles cases across the country. Outbreaks have risen sharply, from 16 in 2024 to 42 in 2025.2 This increase represents a significant—and deeply concerning—increase. We must also look to emergency care, where the effects of the current administration's stance on immigration are becoming more apparent. Health care professionals are called to care for all people—regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, or citizenship. Yet policy shifts have complicated our ability to do so equitably. Historically, our system has leaned toward those who fit what was once considered the cultural norm. Caring for people with HIV, substance use disorders, mental illness, obesity, or questions of gender identity has always been a challenge. Women's health, too, continues to lag behind that of the average male patient. These inequities, magnified by political pressures, only further distance us from the principles of evidence-based, patient-centered care. These realities remind us why our commitment to science, research, and equity must remain unwavering. Our role as nurses and health care professionals isn't only to care for patients, but also to uphold the integrity of the science—and the humanity—that guide that care. Now is the time to act. We must advocate for policies grounded in evidence; educate our communities about the importance of proven interventions such as vaccines; and continue to provide care that's inclusive, compassionate, and equitable. By staying informed, speaking up, and engaging in our professional and public communities, we can ensure that science—not politics—remains at the center of health care decisions.Figure