THE THOMSON REUTERS-NPR HEALTH POLL
Each month, the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll surveys 3,000 Americans to gauge attitudes and opinions on a wide range of healthcare issues. Poll results are reported by NPR's Scott Hensley on the health blog Shots and on air.
"The polls let us delve into consumer attitudes about everything from flu vaccines to taxes on sugary drinks,” said Hensley, NPR health correspondent and blogger. "The results provide a powerful and timely way to understand and explain how people view pressing health issues."
Complete survey results are posted on this page and NPR's reports on the findings are archived here.
The Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll is powered by the Thomson Reuters PULSESMHealthcare Survey, an independently funded, nationally representative telephone poll, which collects information about health behavior, attitudes and utilization from more than 100,000 US households annually. Survey questions are developed in conjunction with NPR.
“Our survey findings provide a benchmark for public sentiment on issues that are continually dividing lawmakers, businesspeople and healthcare professionals,” said Raymond Fabius, M.D., chief medical officer for the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters. “By pairing our robust data analytics with NPR's groundbreaking healthcare reporting, we're able to offer a valuable perspective on these critical issues.”
The latest Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll found that a 16 percent of Americans indicated they sought pricing information before receiving healthcare services, and of those who did, 49 percent received this information from insurance companies. This represents a significant shift from when respondents were asked the same questions in 2010. The full report is available here.
March 2012
The latest Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll found that 39 percent of Americans have seen a drop off in their meat consumption. Those who eat less cite health concerns, cost, animal welfare and potential environmental damage as contributors. The full report is available here.
February 2012
The latest Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll found that a majority of Americans believe organ donors should be afforded compensation for their donation, while 72 percent of respondents believe that compensation should come from health insurance companies. The full report is available
here.
January 2012
The latest Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll found that roughly one-third of Americans say they have made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight in the last five years, while 42 percent of regular smokers have pledged to quit. The full report is available
here.
December 2011
The latest Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll found that one in four Americans would refuse a full body scan when going trough airport security, citing health concerns and privacy violations. The full report is available
here.
November 2011
The latest Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll found that half the U.S. population has used narcotic painkillers such as Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin and morphine. The full report is available
here.
October 2011
85% of Americans believe healthy lifestyles should receive a health insurance premiums discount.
September 2011
One fourth of the U.S. population has concerns about the safey of vaccines
August 2011
Food safety - level of concern declines even though respondents report more cases of serious food-borne illness
July 2011
Food allergies and intolerances - One in five Americans has them
June 2011
Organic Food Attitudes - 58% prefer organic food
MAY 2011
Abortion - Americans remain "remarkably split"
January 2011
Smoking - 54% favor graphic cigarette labels
November 2010
Genetically modified foods - Most Americans unsure of safety
September 2010
Shopping for healthcare - Few seek pricing information
August 2010
Weight loss supplements - Most are leery of pills
July 2010
Drug advertising - 8 percent say they been persuaded to ask for a prescription medication; most doctors say no
June 2010
Generic drugs - Trust and use are high
May 2010
Taxing sugary drinks, snacks and fast food - A third of Americans support soda tax
April 2010
Working while sick - Most Americans do it
