Opinion Today: If everything’s a crisis …

There are many urgent public health issues, but declaring them all crises might not be productive.

View in browser|nytimes.com November 21, 2024 By Alexandra Sifferlin Health and Science Editor, Opinion "A perpetually anxious society is a vulnerable one," writes Jeneen Interlandi in a new essay examining how the United States, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, seems trapped in an era of public health crises — from infectious disease outbreaks to loneliness and parental stress. In her essay, Interlandi examines why America's public health system often relies on generating outrage to achieve its goals, and how it decides which issues to prioritize. Unlike an epidemic or a public health emergency, there are no formal criteria for declaring a crisis — it's a more subjective choice. And as Interlandi argues, it's a choice frequently made by a resource-starved public health system, though not without risks. Take maternal mortality: While the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries, a recent, much-publicized rise appears largely attributable to changes in how deaths are tracked. Improvements are needed, but Interlandi points out that it's still extraordinarily safe to give birth in the United States. "The racial gap in maternal deaths is significant and shameful, and merits every effort to close it," she writes. Yet in 2022, "less than one-half of one-tenth of 1 percent" of Black women who became mothers or expecting mothers died from maternal causes. Talk of a crisis could very well be raising undue fear and stress for expecting mothers. She cites many other examples of problems health officials have called crises, some with success, and others with unintended consequences. Crisis-mongering, Interlandi warns, can carry risks when a society is already exhausted and nervous: "There is no telling who we might surrender our judgment to or what portion of the social contract we might agree to scrap, if only to silence the alarm bells." Read the essay: Talia Cotton Jeneen interlandi 'We Tire Very Quickly of Being Told That Everything Is on Fire' Why invoking a public health crisis too often can lead society astray. By Jeneen Interlandi Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks Tressie McMillan Cottom How Trump Got in Americans' Heads and Stayed There Trump excelled at tapping into the information ecosystems where minority and young voters express their identity. By Tressie McMillan Cottom More From Opinion Guest Essay Democrats, It's Time to Let a New Generation Lead The Democratic Party can seize defeat to establish a new order, but the era of tinkering around the edges is over. By Antonio Delgado Guest Essay What 'Mass Deportation' Actually Means How big will the Trump administration go, and how quickly? By Dara Lind David french The Greatest Cancel Culture Warrior in America Is Donald Trump Sure, the left can be nuts, but have you looked at the right lately? By David French Jessica Grose Young Women Will Never Stop Talking About Sexism I love that for them. By Jessica Grose Does Anyone Trust the Government? Cynicism is rampant across the political spectrum. By Serge Schmemann The Bathrooms of the Capitol Are Now Unsafe Spaces Republicans are exploiting juvenile gossip and unfounded fears of sexual violence. By Anna Marks Janet Mac letters Reading Books in College: A Lost Art? Readers respond to a guest essay about ... reading (in college). Also: What Ukraine needs; "profiles in cowardice"; who we are as Americans. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. To stop receiving Opinion Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018