Survey Shows Americans Concerned about Disruptions to Research
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A Research!America-commissioned survey released today reveals that almost 7 in 10 Americans throughout the political spectrum say Congress ought to make investments extra taxpayer {dollars} to advance science and know-how. Further, Americans say medical progress must be among the many high three of our nation’s priorities over the following 50 years.
In addition, 92% of Americans throughout the political spectrum assist fundamental scientific analysis, a rise of seven factors over final yr’s survey. Despite this common assist, the previous yr has been difficult for U.S. science and analysis that advantages sufferers. Half (51%) of Americans say they’re knowledgeable about canceled federal packages or funds cuts that would affect science, analysis, and innovation. Of these respondents who stated they’re knowledgeable, 83% say they’re involved in regards to the disruptions to analysis.
Notable Findings to Inform a Midterm Election Year
Nearly 9 in 10 Americans throughout the political spectrum say it will be significant for candidates to champion sooner medical progress, and 7 in 10 (together with 70% of Republicans, a 10-point improve over 2024) say they might be extra probably to assist a candidate who favors elevated spending on medical and well being analysis.
“These survey findings offer valuable insights as the U.S. marks its 250th birthday,” stated Research!America President and CEO Mary Woolley. “Even as we reflect on our nation’s storied global leadership in science, technology, and medical progress, our nation must find our way back to a fast-forward approach. We should set our sights high for scientific, medical, and public health progress, then work to exceed expectation. The American public has spoken, and we urge the president and Congress to listen and lead the way with robust investments in research.”
Issues of Increasing Concern to Americans
1 / 4 of respondents throughout the political spectrum recognized the price of well being care as a essential well being challenge going through the nation, up 9 factors from 2025 and nonetheless rating because the No. 1 well being challenge. Mental well being was recognized as Americans’ second most essential well being challenge, with African American and Hispanic respondents extra probably to view psychological well being as the highest well being challenge in the U.S.
Confidence and Trust in Health Care Professionals and Scientists
An overwhelming majority (83%) of Americans say they’ve a terrific deal or a good quantity of confidence in scientists, a rise of 5 factors over final yr. This stage of confidence in scientists is the best it has been since we began asking this query in 2020. Additionally, 7 in 10 Americans assume the work of scientists advantages all or most individuals in the U.S., a 10-point improve over final yr’s survey findings.
In phrases of reliable sources of medical and well being info, 91% of Americans say they belief docs, nurses, and different well being suppliers, and 88% say they belief scientists.
Visibility of Science and Research
Just over half (53%) of Americans can identify a medical or well being analysis establishment, and solely half are conscious that science and know-how analysis is carried out in each state. An analogous share (48%) are conscious that medical or well being analysis is carried out in each state. Only 1 / 4 of Americans can identify a dwelling scientist, down from one-third final yr.
Other Notable Survey Findings:
- An growing majority (60%) of respondents between the ages of 18 to 24 say they view synthetic intelligence (AI) extra as a danger than a possible enchancment in their lives, up 9 factors from final yr.
- Further, amongst all respondents, almost half (49%) say they view AI extra as a danger. This share has been rising since 2020, when 33% stated they view AI as a danger.
- Nearly 8 in 10 Americans are assured in the security of vaccines used at the moment, a four-point improve over final yr.
- 45% of Americans say they fear that not all of the childhood vaccines are mandatory, a four-point lower from final yr’s findings.
The on-line survey was carried out by Zogby Analytics on behalf of Research!America in early January 2026, amongst 1,007 adults plus extra adults for minority oversampling. The survey has a theoretical sampling error of +/- 3.1 share factors. The pattern is weighted to greatest signify the demographics of the inhabitants being surveyed. Weighted variables might embody age, race, gender, and political social gathering.
For greater than 30 years, Research!America has commissioned public opinion surveys to assist perceive Americans’ views on medical, well being, and scientific analysis and different urgent points associated to public well being, analysis, and innovation. For a snapshot of the findings, go here, and for the total 2026 survey, please go to the Research!America survey web page here.
About Research!America
Research!America is a non-profit medical and well being analysis advocacy alliance which advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to obtain higher well being for all. For over 30 years, Research!America has been commissioning surveys to assist perceive public assist for medical, well being, and scientific analysis, amongst different state, nationwide, and world points associated to public well being and analysis and innovation. Visit www.researchamerica.org.
SOURCE Research!America
