Epidemiologists are increasingly required to communicate directly with the public, a shift accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic but now embedded in routine public health practice. Modern media environments demand rapid, accessible explanations of evolving evidence, yet epidemiological methods rely on uncertainty, context, and careful interpretation. These tensions create professional and workforce challenges, particularly for those without training or institutional support for public engagement. This Perspective examines the changing media role of epidemiologists, the implications for workforce development, and the gaps in training and institutional recognition. It argues that public-facing communication should be treated as a legitimate professional competency and integrated into workforce planning, training, and support structures. Without this, public engagement will remain uneven, with risks disproportionately borne by a small subset of epidemiologists.
Adrian Esterman (Wed,) studied this question.