In this episode of Misguided: The Podcast, I’m joined by Jennifer Hauser, who leads health and trust work at Edelman. Jen started her own health communications firm at 24, sold it to Havas in 2002, and has spent her career exploring how people take ownership of their health in a rapidly changing information environment. Her work today focuses on what trust needs to look like in a world where people have more tools, more voices, and more information than ever before.
We begin by discussing findings from this year’s Edelman Health Trust Barometer, including the special analysis we did together with the Yale School of Public Health. People still trust their doctors most, but they are also turning to friends, family, creators, and AI chatbots when making health decisions. Jen explains that many people seek out these sources because they feel more heard, can ask questions without judgment, and get answers right away. As she puts it, health is deeply human, and people want to feel understood.
From there, we dig into what the data says about earning trust. When people were asked what would convince them to follow a recommendation they had doubts about, most wanted a provider who understood their circumstances and welcomed their questions. We also discuss a surprising finding about people who hold divisive health beliefs. They are not disengaged. They are often highly engaged with the healthcare system and are much more likely to trust providers who show up in their communities.
We close by looking ahead to the growing role of AI in health decisions. Jen shares why health organizations need to make sure trusted information is discoverable by chatbots, and why she is hopeful that AI can free up doctors to spend more time doing what matters most: connecting with patients.
You can listen to the full episode here or via the links below. As always, if you find my podcast useful or interesting, feel free to share it with someone who might also enjoy it.
Edelman Special Report with Yale School of Public Health
Edelman Trust Barometer 2026
Follow Jen on LinkedIn
Keywords: Jen Hauser, health, trust, AI, Edelman, science communication, health communication
Misguided: The Podcast - Apple Podcasts
Misguided: The Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
Misguided - YouTube
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit matthewfacciani.substack.com/subscribe
