On Wednesday, a judge found fourteen members of the religious group “The Saints” guilty of manslaughter for the tragic death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs. Two members were acquitted of murder.
As a doctor and mother, this news struck me deeply. Elizabeth died from diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that could have been treated with insulin. Instead of seeking medical help, her family chose to pray and sing under the influence of their religious leaders. This neglect is heartbreaking and completely preventable. Elizabeth’s mother had even faced jail time before for failing to provide proper medical care for her daughter. It’s sickening to think that a little girl could suffer abuse disguised as faith-based healing.
Sadly, I’m noticing more and more people rejecting medical advice based on harmful beliefs. A patient at my clinic recently stopped her HIV medication because her pastor told her she was healed through prayer. Another parent refuses to seek help for his troubled son, insisting that ADHD and depression are just made-up terms. I’ve even been asked to sign forms declining blood transfusions because a mother fears “vaccine-contaminated” blood during childbirth. Others choose to give birth without any medical assistance at all.
During the COVID pandemic, I spent a lot of time trying to combat misinformation. Conspiracy theories spread like wildfire, linking the virus to 5G towers. I held community outreach events and one-on-one consultations to explain the importance of vaccines—often with little success. We’ve seen outbreaks of diseases like measles and pertussis recently, often tied to a rise in vaccine refusal.
Doctors and scientists today are under attack from anti-science narratives. It’s discouraging to feel like we’re losing the trust of the public. Many people genuinely believe they are protecting their loved ones by turning away from modern medicine. The adults in Elizabeth’s life thought they were doing what was best for her, believing faith could replace science.
It’s essential to recognize that not all criticisms of medicine are unfounded. Medicine is constantly evolving, and we must listen to different perspectives, especially those from marginalized communities. Medical practices often come with biases that need to be addressed.
At the same time, the level of misinformation out there is alarming. Many are drawn to the idea of “natural” cures, believing they offer a simpler way of living. This poses a challenge for healthcare providers. How do we show respect for patient choices while also addressing potentially dangerous misinformation?
Social media amplifies these false narratives, with influencers and alternative medicine practitioners spreading dangerous ideas. As healthcare providers, we face a tough challenge when it comes to guiding our patients through this landscape of misinformation.
Current events also add to the uncertainty. The decision by former President Donald Trump to withdraw from the World Health Organization could have severe impacts on global health efforts. If successful, the halting of programs that supply HIV medicine could result in hundreds of thousands of deaths in South Africa alone. This would not only worsen local health crises but could also lead to a rise in drug-resistant diseases worldwide.
The effects of these anti-medical beliefs can be devastating. Vulnerable populations, especially children, are at risk when caregivers refuse necessary medical intervention. Elizabeth Struhs deserved better. Her condition was manageable with the right medical care. Instead, her father sought help from a religious community rather than professionals who could have saved her.
As healthcare providers, parents, and citizens, we need to be vigilant. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that no child suffers like Elizabeth did because of misconceptions about health and medicine. We are all impacted by this, and we must work together to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Check out this related article: Hickenlooper Challenges RFK Jr.: The Critical Conversation on Trust in Science and Overcoming Bias
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