In case there are any people left who scoff at the idea that politics trumps science in public discourse - or on what public health subjects are addressed and the types of recommendations that are made by Federal agencies these days - a quick synopsis of recent events on today's Washington Post editorial page [The Politics of Science].
At the Food and Drug Administration, the director of the Office of Women's Health recently resigned because she believed that the administration was twisting science to stall approval of over-the-counter emergency contraception. Off the record -- because they fear losing their jobs -- some scientists at the Department of Health and Human Services say that Bush administration public affairs officers screen their appearances and utterances more carefully than anyone ever did. Scientists at places such as the Agriculture Department, not a part of the government known for its publicity hounds, have made the same claim.
Some social marketers espouse the notion that politics is a fifth "P" in the marketing mix, but for practitioners in the public, voluntary and private sectors, it is part of their everyday life. There are always people running around shouting: Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!
Technorati Tags: Health Communication, Politics, Science
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