How U.S. Public Opinion Has Changed in 20 Years of Our Surveys
We took a closer look at how Americans’ views and experiences have evolved on a variety of topics over the last 20 years.
We took a closer look at how Americans’ views and experiences have evolved on a variety of topics over the last 20 years.
About nine-in-ten (88%) Americans say, overall, the benefits of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella outweigh the risks, identical to the share who said this before the coronavirus outbreak. U.S. adults are less confident in COVID-19 vaccines: Fewer than half rate them as having high health benefits and a low risk of side effects.
About six-in-ten U.S. adults (58%) favor stricter gun laws. Another 26% say that U.S. gun laws are about right, while 15% favor less strict gun laws.
What do poll workers do, and how many typically help in general elections? Read about state requirements for these temporary election staffers and more.
Students who are gay, lesbian or bisexual, as well as girls, were especially likely to say their mental health has suffered in the past year.
A new survey, along with a related series of focus groups, shows the many nuanced views Black Americans hold about science.
65% of Americans overall see clinical trials as very important, despite the time such trials add to the process of developing new treatments.
Unvaccinated Americans are less likely to be concerned about health effects of COVID-19 and to wear masks in businesses all or most of the time.
Today, 52% of Americans are more concerned than excited about AI in daily life, compared with just 10% who say they are more excited than concerned.
73% say they are vaccinated, but at least half express confusion, concern over vaccine information and health impacts.
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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It does not take policy positions. The Center conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, computational social science research and other data-driven research. Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder.
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