Prescription drug abuse increasingly seen as a major U.S. public health problem
Americans’ concerns about prescription drug abuse have risen over the past four years, with some of largest increases coming among well-educated adults.
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Nearly half of Americans have a family member or close friend who’s been addicted to drugs
It’s common for Americans to know someone with a current or past drug addiction – and it’s an experience that mostly cuts across demographic and partisan lines.
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Science News and Information Today
Overall, 36% of Americans get science news at least a few times a week and three-in-ten actively seek it. Most get science news from general news outlets, but more see specialty sources as being accurate.
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Americans divided on gene editing, with parents of minors more wary
The U.S. public has mixed views on using gene editing to reduce babies’ risk of serious diseases, with parents of children younger than 18 especially wary.
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Most patients in U.S. have high praise for their health care providers
While many physicians in the United States report frustrations with their work, the public continues to hold health care providers in high regard.
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Globally, People Point to ISIS and Climate Change as Leading Security Threats
People around the world identify ISIS and climate change as leading international threats. Many also name cyberattacks from other countries and the condition of the global economy as major challenges.
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Public Divides Over Environmental Regulation and Energy Policy
Americans lean toward regulations – not economic markets alone – as the most effective way to increase reliance on renewable energy, but they are evenly split on whether fewer regulations can protect air and water.
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Americans Divided on Whether Recent Science Protests Will Benefit Scientists’ Causes
More Democrats and younger adults believe last month’s science marches will lead to public support for science, while Republicans and older adults tend to disagree.
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Q&A: Using Google search data to study public interest in the Flint water crisis
Read an interview with Director of Journalism Research Amy Mitchell, who helped author the study.
