Americans’ Views on Who Influences Health Policy and Which Health Issues To Prioritize
About seven-in-ten Americans say insurance companies have too much health policy influence, but partisans disagree on the CDC’s role.
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Science Funding & Policy
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Americans’ Trust in Scientists, Positive Views of Science Continue to Decline
The share of Americans who say science has had a mostly positive impact on society has fallen 16 percentage points since before the start of the coronavirus outbreak, from 73% in January 2019 to 57% today.
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Americans’ Views of Space: U.S. Role, NASA Priorities and Impact of Private Companies
A majority of Americans (69%) say it’s essential for the U.S. to continue to be a world leader in space. As private companies become a bigger part of the industry, the public gives them more positive than negative ratings for their contributions to space exploration and spacecraft development. Still, Americans continue to say NASA has a critical role to play going forward.
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Americans Value U.S. Role as Scientific Leader, but 38% Say Country Is Losing Ground Globally
Large majorities value government investments in science and consider it important for the United States to be a world leader in scientific achievement, but few think the country is gaining ground globally.
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Science and Scientists Held in High Esteem Across Global Publics
Majorities across 20 publics say government investments in scientific research are worthwhile and express a lot or some confidence in scientists to do what is right for the public.
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Americans prioritize being a world leader in scientific achievements more than other global publics
Nearly seven-in-ten Americans think it is very important for the United States to be a world leader in scientific achievements.
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Two-Thirds of Americans Think Government Should Do More on Climate
There is bipartisan support for several proposals to reduce the effects of climate change, especially for large scale tree-plantings to help absorb carbon emissions and offering tax credits to businesses that capture carbon emissions.
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As Economic Concerns Recede, Environmental Protection Rises on the Public’s Policy Agenda
Nearly as many Americans say protecting the environment should be a top policy priority (64%) as say this about strengthening the economy (67%)
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Most Americans are wary of industry-funded research
The public is somewhat more positive about the effects of government funding on research and practitioner recommendations.
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Public Expresses Favorable Views of a Number of Federal Agencies
Americans express overwhelmingly favorable opinions of federal agencies like the Postal Service, the National Park Service, NASA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) despite historically low levels of public trust in the federal government.
