Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
New research by market firm Ipsos and news website Axios suggests Americans are surprisingly united by public health concerns. According to the new data, fully half of all Americans say the government's number one public health priority should be lowering costs for health care and prescription drugs. That's more than triple the 14% of people who voted for the second-place priority of reducing gun deaths. Researching cures for major diseases was also listed as a priority by 14% of people, tying for second place.
The data comes from The Axois-Ipsos American Health Index, which surveyed 1,213 American adults in February of 2023. It found that, in addition to lower health care costs, citizens were concerned about ensuring the safety of existing health practices, prioritized by 7% of survey respondents, and reducing deaths from overdoses and accidents, prioritized by 7% of respondents.
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Americans have a pessimistic view of American public health, even as most report their own health and well-being as mostly good. In a press release, president of Ipsos US Public Affairs, Cliff Young, commented on the findings, saying, "These public health challenges are important, but for the typical American it's the bite out of their pocketbook that is even more important. Today in America, making ends meet is an increasing challenge so the No. 1 health priority returns back to the overall priority for most Americans, being able to afford the basic necessities of life."
Related: Around 91% of Americans worried about increasing health care costs
Other findings of the report include:
- The biggest threats to public health, as identified by survey respondents, included opioids and fentanyl (26%); obesity (21%); access to guns (17%); cancer (12%); COVID (6%); unsafe roads (4%); smoking (3%); and alcohol abuse (2%).
- Americans largely support a monthly cap on out-of-pocket insulin costs, with 84% being in favor. (The study was published shortly before pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly announced their intention to institute a $35-a-month out-of-pocket price cap on insulin.)
- Likewise, Americans mostly support insurers covering weight-loss drugs, with 78% in favor.
- Nearly three-quarters of all Americans say their health care costs are going up.
- Similarly, nearly three-quarters of respondents say the US would not be prepared if another public health crisis, like COVID-19, were to strike today.
Americans appear to have a raft of unhealthy habits, with less than 30% of Americans reporting that their diet is very good, their physical health is very good, or their personal finances are very good. While driving, more than half of Americans say they speed and 22% text or check social media on their cell phones. Just 30% say they walk for at least half an hour daily.
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