US Attitudes Towards Science and Medicine

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1024 US Attitudes Toward Science and Medicine

Welcome to Medical Discovery News.  I’m Dr Norbert Herzog. 

And I’m Dr. David Niesel 

In the past year, many of our core beliefs about science and health have been publicly challenged.  We’re told to disregard pollution and that vaccines are unneeded.   

Dave and I worry this is creating doubts about the value of American research programs. But a recent non-partisan survey by Research America shows people do care. 

The annual survey questioned over one thousand people and accounted for differences in demographics and political beliefs to get an accurate read of our national attitude. 

Just over half did not think their children would be better off than them, a drop of ten percent from last year. Top reasons were inflation, social media influence, and the economy. 

Also in the top fifteen concerns were a perception of worsening health and declining US leadership in science and technology. Only fifty-four percent believe we lead the world in science and technology. 

They’re worried about cancelled budgets for health programs, and that the US isn’t ready for another pandemic in their lifetime.

Almost seventy percent want the government to invest more in these areas and in basic science, since discoveries can lead to huge advances. 

More than half believe science and technology research create jobs.  And over eighty percent believe childhood vaccines save lives and prevent disease outbreaks.  

And more than two thirds are willing to pay a dollar more a week in taxes if it were spent on medical research. But we worry whether our elected officials will listen. 

We are Drs. David Niesel and Norbert Herzog, at UTMB and Quinnipiac University, where biomedical discoveries shape the future of medicine.   For much more and our disclaimer go to medicaldiscoverynews.com or listen to our podcast on your favorite podcast service.