Alec Tyson

Trust in scientists and medical scientists has fallen below pre-pandemic levels, with 29% of U.S. adults saying they have a great deal of confidence in medical scientists to act in the best interests of the public. This is down from 40% in November 2020 and 35% in January 2019, before COVID-19 emerged. Other prominent groups – including the military, police officers and public school principals – have also seen their ratings decline.

Americans are increasingly critical of the response to COVID-19 from elected officeholders and public health officials. Positive ratings of public health officials, such as those at the CDC, have fallen 10 points since August. And 60% of U.S. adults say they’ve felt confused as a result of changes to recommendations on how to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Public confidence in scientists has increased during the pandemic, though not among all Americans. We discuss the impact of trust on views of COVID-19 vaccines.

46% of U.S. adults say the area where they live has had an extreme weather event over the past 12 months.

73% say they are vaccinated, but at least half express confusion, concern over vaccine information and health impacts.

GOP moderates and younger adults generally offer more support for action to address climate change than conservatives and older adults.

Among U.S. social media users, 45% of Gen Z adults have interacted with content that focuses on the need for action on climate change.

Majorities of Americans support an array of measures to address climate change but stop short of a full break with fossil fuels.

77% think vaccinations will benefit the economy.

As artificial intelligence plays a growing role in the everyday lives of people around the world, views on AI’s impact on society are mixed.