Why Everything Feels Political: Media, Health, and Science

Many Americans now struggle to discuss or engage with anything deemed “political.” As negative views of politics grow, debates over health and scientific issues often become politicized, leading to a host of negative consequences. Tensions rise, conversations shift from shared concerns to partisan disagreements, trust in experts can erode, and people may feel more anxious and unsure about what to believe.

In this talk, I introduce a clear framework for understanding what “politicization” actually means and share research on how media shape public views, deepen political divisions, and influence how people communicate with one another. The discussion draws on cases such as the politicization of COVID‑19 vaccines and climate change.

The goal of the talk is to offer a clearer and more nuanced picture of politicization—one that goes beyond simply counting how often media coverage mentions political actors—and to explore what these patterns mean for everyday relationships and for the health of our democracy.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Center for Journalism, Media and Democracy (UW)