Insights from the Public Perspective
Mary Woolley
President, Research!America
Institute of Medicine Annual Meeting
October 13, 2008
Washington, DC
“…public sentiment is
everything. With public
sentiment, nothing can
fail; without it nothing
can succeed.”
–Abraham Lincoln
The American Public
•
•
•
•
•
Is very worried about the cost of health care
Is very angry about greed
Is concerned about health disparities
Can cite reasons disparities exist
Doesn’t use the language of this meeting
(disparities/social determinants/etc)
• Trusts health care professionals and
voluntary health organizations
• Is influenced by media (of all kinds)
The American Public
• Says the quality of health care is getting
worse not better
• Says much health care, including their
own, is not evidence-based
• Believes research is part of the solution to
health care costs, not part of the problem
• Is optimistic that breakthroughs will
occur
• Is Going to be heard
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll:
Election 2008
Tell me how worried you are about each of the following things
(% saying very worried):
Survey of 1,081 registered voters interviewed by telephone between September 8 and 13, 2008.
Americans Cite Greed as Top Cause of
Rising Health Care Costs
The majority of Americans say our health care costs too much. What
would you say is the number one reason for that? (first mentions)
Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
Americans Think Habits and
Personal Choices Trump Genes
Which do you think is more important in determining how healthy you
are: personal habits and choices or genetics and inherited family traits?
Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
Causes of Health Disparities
When considering possible causes for health differences
among minority groups, which of the following possible
causes do you think has the most impact?
2008
2006
Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29, and National Poll, December 2006
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
Factors in Who Receives
High-Quality Health Care
The quality of health care varies among populations in the U.S.
How important do you think each of the following is in determining if someone
receives high-quality health care? (% responding “very important”)
2008
2006
Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29, and National Poll, December 2006
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
Drop in Percent Who Say Their Health Care
Services Are Based on Research
Do you believe that the health care services you personally
receive are based on the best and most recent research available?
2005
2008
Sources: National Poll 2005 and National Poll 2008, fielded September 24-29
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
Americans Want To Be Genetically Tested for
Personalized Medicine
Would you want to be genetically tested to determine which
medications might be most effective and safest for you?
2006
2008
Sources: Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll 2006, and National
Poll 2008, fielded September 24-29; Charlton Research Company for Research!America
Americans Split on Solutions to Obesity
Some people say: Obesity is a private issue people need to deal with on their own.
Other people say: Obesity is a public health issue that society needs to help solve.
Which statement comes closer to your opinion?
2%
52%
46%
Society should help
solve
Private issue
Don't know
Source: National Poll, 2006
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
Perceived Obesity Among Children
What percentage of American children do you think is overweight or obese?
15%
25% or less
48%
26-54%
24%
55-65%
66-74%
7%
75-100% 4%
Don't know
2%
Source: National Poll, 2006
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
Americans Think Responsibility for Obesity
Lies Close to Home
How much responsibility does each of the following have
in helping address the issue of obesity?
87%
Parents
84%
Individuals
47%
Food industry
A lot
20%
Some
Source: National Poll, 2006
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
7%
44%
37%
Health care providers
12%
34%
43%
Schools
Government
11%
6%
47%
47%
Not much
9%
15%
None
10%
6%
6%
17%
Don't know
Great Expectations for Medical Breakthroughs
Please tell me whether you think medical breakthroughs will occur
within the next 10 years for each of the following: (% saying yes)
73%
Diabetes
72%
Cancer
72%
Heart disease
64%
Alzheimer's disease
HIV/AIDS
Obesity
Source: Transforming Health Poll, 2007
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
56%
51%
It is critical to engage the
public in tackling the health
care challenge
“Nothing about us
without us.”
- Motto of United Nations’
International Day of Disabled
Persons 2004
Your Candidates-Your Health 2008
Candidate Outreach
– All presidential and Congressional
candidates have been invited to respond to
a questionnaire based on suggestions made
by readers of PARADE magazine
– Extensive public outreach through the
Research!America advocacy network and
almost 50 sponsoring partners to
encourage candidates to respond
– Check it out!
www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org
www.researchamerica.org
www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org