Insights from the Public Perspective

Mary WoolleyPresident, Research!America

Institute of Medicine Annual MeetingOctober 13, 2008Washington, 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

Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

The majority of Americans say our health care costs too much. What would you say is the number one reason for that? (first mentions)

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 DisparitiesWhen considering possible causes for health differences among minority groups, which of the following possible causes do you think has the most impact?

Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29, and National Poll, December 2006 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

20082006

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”)

20082006

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?

Sources: National Poll 2005 and National Poll 2008, fielded September 24-29 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

2005 2008

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?

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

2006 2008

Americans Split on Solutions to Obesity

Source: National Poll, 2006Charlton Research Company for Research!America

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?

46%

52%

2%

Society should helpsolve

Private issue

Don't know

Perceived Obesity Among Children

Source: National Poll, 2006Charlton Research Company for Research!America

What percentage of American children do you think is overweight or obese?

2%

4%

7%

24%

48%

15%

Don't know

75-100%

66-74%

55-65%

26-54%

25% or less

Americans Think Responsibility for Obesity Lies Close to Home

Source: National Poll, 2006Charlton Research Company for Research!America

How much responsibility does each of the following have in helping address the issue of obesity?

20% 47% 15% 17%

37% 47% 9% 6%

43% 44% 6% 6%

47% 34% 7% 10%

84% 12%

87% 11%

Government

Health care providers

Schools

Food industry

Individuals

Parents

A lot Some Not much None Don't know

Great Expectations for Medical Breakthroughs

Source: Transforming Health Poll, 2007Charlton Research Company for Research!America

Please tell me whether you think medical breakthroughs will occur within the next 10 years for each of the following: (% saying yes)

51%

56%

64%

72%

72%

73%

Obesity

HIV/AIDS

Alzheimer's disease

Heart disease

Cancer

Diabetes

“Nothing about us without us.”- Motto of United Nations’ International Day of Disabled Persons 2004

It is critical to engage the public in tackling the health care challenge 

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