Poll: Economy, National Security, Health Are Tops on Voters’ Minds
73 Percent Say Research is Solution to Rising Health Costs
WASHINGTON—October 30, 2008—Research!America calls on presidential candidates McCain and Obama to make health and research a key part of their platforms in the campaign's final days-and for the winner of the election to give health research a strong priority in his Administration.
A new poll commissioned by Research!America shows the most important election issue for a majority of Americans is the economy and financial crisis (58%), followed by the Iraq war/national security (9%), health care (6%) and the candidates' integrity (6%).
"The economy is the leading issue in this election, but our economic health will never be strong if we don't invest more in medical research," said Mary Woolley, president and CEO, Research!America. "Research and innovation fuel economic growth, heal the broken aspects of our health care system—making it more cost-effective—and cut the costly toll of disease and disability."
According to the poll, a majority (77%) would be more likely to vote for a presidential candidate whose top priorities include health care reform and nearly 70% believe the United States does not have the world's best health care system. Only 14% say they are very well informed about the candidates' views on health and science research, yet nearly three-quarters (73%) cite research to improve health as part of the solution to rising health care costs.
"Americans want the next president to make health reform a priority and, in strong numbers, they support medical research as a solution," said Woolley. "Research!America challenges the presidential candidates to make research a stronger part of their message as the election approaches-and more importantly, calls on the next president to give research a very high priority in his Administration by naming a cabinet level science adviser shortly after the election."
The survey was conducted online by Charlton Research Company for Research!America in September 2008, with a sample of 1,000 U.S. adults and a margin of error of ±3.1%. See complete methodology and more poll results. (PDF)
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, it is supported by 500 member organizations, which represent more than 125 million Americans.
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