Final answer:
Maintaining public trust in epidemiologic studies means conducting research ethically and transparently, and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maintaining public trust when conducting epidemiologic studies means ensuring that the research is conducted ethically, transparently, and with the best interests of the public in mind. This includes protecting the privacy and confidentiality of research participants, obtaining informed consent, and following ethical guidelines and regulations. It also involves accurately representing and interpreting the findings of the study, and being responsive to public concerns and questions.