Why Expertise Matters When the Stakes Are Highest: A Note on Navigating Health Decisions for Our Kids

A Note from Sandra Tibke, executive director 

As parents and caregivers, we want nothing more than to protect our children and make the best decisions for their health and well-being. Today, we have more information at our fingertips than ever before. It’s completely natural to have questions, to research options, and to seek clarity about what goes into our children’s bodies. In fact, seeking answers is a sign of an engaged, caring parent.

At the same time, as we navigate an overwhelming sea of online health claims, social media posts, and often-changing guidance, it’s worth stepping back to reflect on how we evaluate the information we find.

Imagine boarding a 737 for a flight across the country. You find your seat, buckle your belt, and listen as the doors close.

Then, just before takeoff, you learn that the people in the cockpit were not trained pilots. They did not go through flight school. They did not spend years learning aviation systems, practicing emergency procedures, or being evaluated by experienced instructors.

Instead, they watched a few videos, read articles online, and felt confident they had done enough research to fly the plane.

Most of us would not stay in our seats.

That reaction is not because we believe every pilot is perfect. It is because we understand the difference between having access to information and having the education, training, experience, and accountability to interpret and discern it well.

Health decisions deserve that same care and respect. Parents do not need to be medical experts to ask good questions; they deserve answers from people who are trained and accountable for giving them.

A search engine cannot examine a child, understand that child’s medical history, weigh risks and benefits, recognize misleading claims, or take responsibility for the advice it provides. A social media post cannot replace the years of education, clinical training, and professional accountability that physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and public health experts bring to their work.

When a family has questions about vaccines, the answer should not leverage shame or pressure. It should be a conversation with a qualified healthcare professional—someone trained to evaluate evidence, explain the options clearly, and help families make decisions based on their child’s individual needs.

In aviation, we do not ask passengers to choose between a trained pilot and someone who learned to fly online. We recognize that expertise matters – especially when the stakes are high.

The health of North Dakota children and communities deserves the same care: respectful questions, reliable information, and guidance from people trained to protect health and safety.