Survey Shows Strong Bipartisan Support for Public Health | Business Wire

BETHESDA, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–At the launch of the autumn flu season and amid a rash of

weather-related disasters affecting many states, nine in 10 registered

voters (89%) believe public health departments play an important role in

the health of their community, according to a new

poll released today by the de Beaumont Foundation.

Conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, the poll found that two-thirds

of Americans believe state government should ensure that every community

has access to basic public health protections, including:

• stopping the spread of communicable diseases (8.5 on a 10.0 point

  scale);

• bringing together other government agencies in emergencies (8.4);

• protecting air and water quality (8.4); and

• supporting child and maternal health (8.3).

A majority of voters (57%) said they would pay more in taxes to ensure

access to these basic public health protections.

“Americans overwhelmingly value the protections public health

departments deliver and want to ensure that every community has them,”

said Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, chief executive officer of the de

Beaumont Foundation. “While Americans seem divided on so many issues

this election year, they are united in their support for public health

because they understand the vital role it plays in their communities.”

This support for public health crosses political party, geography,

gender, race, age, education, and income. The consensus support for

public health was driven by overwhelming majorities of African Americans

(85%), self-identified liberals (78%), Hispanics (75%), mothers (74%),

working class people (72%), and Northeasterners (71%). Also expressing

support were majorities of white men (53%), self-described conservatives

(55%), and fathers (51%).

The poll highlights opportunities to broaden support for public health,

by demonstrating the value of public service departments to voters who

expressed support with less intensity than other groups — including

high-income voters and men who self-identified as Republicans, ages 18

to 54, college-educated, white, fathers, or soft Democrats.

The poll surveyed 1,000 voters nationally, with an over-sample of 498

voters in rural areas and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent for

the national sample and +/- 3.7 percent for the rural over-sample.

Public Opinion Strategies conducted the poll via telephone between Aug.

31 and Sept. 8, 2018.

For more information about the de Beaumont Foundation, visit www.debeaumont.org/

About the de Beaumont Foundation

The de Beaumont Foundation advances policy, builds partnerships, and

strengthens public health to create communities where people can achieve

their best possible health.