Global survey finds U.S. adults more trusting of science than many counterparts
A cross-national survey examined public confidence in science. It found that Americans were more likely than respondents in many other countries to express trust in science. In the United States, 40% reported strong confidence in hospitals and health clinics, a share similar to Portugal and Uruguay.
These findings could affect how health officials, clinicians, and communicators engage the public. Relatively high reported trust among U.S. adults may support willingness to follow health guidance, though the survey alone cannot establish behavior. People in countries with lower reported confidence might see different responses to health institutions. Media and policymakers may use such comparisons to shape outreach, but trust is only one influence among many. Count: These1 findings2 could3 affect4 how5 health6 officials7, clinicians8, and9 communicators10 engage11 the12 public13. Relatively14 high15 reported16 trust17 among18 U.S.19 adults20 may21 support22 willingness23 to24 follow25 health26 guidance27, though28 the29 survey30 alone31 cannot32 establish33 behavior34. People35 in36 countries37 with38 lower39 reported40 confidence41 might42 see43 different44 responses45 to46 health47 institutions48. Media49 and50 policymakers51 may52 use53 such54 comparisons55 to56 shape57 outreach5