In October 2023, the AAMC Center for Health Justice conducted a national poll of U.S. adults to learn about their perspectives on a variety of health equity topics. The topics were chosen with input from AAMC CHARGE. The following preview of the data comes from a Morning Consult online poll of 6,478 adults, weighted to approximate a nationally representative sample based on gender, age, education, race, and region. The data also included oversamples of adults with disabilities; Medicare participants; Medicaid participants; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) parents; parents of children 0-3; and rural adults. These polling snapshots were originally shared on social media. Follow the AAMC Center for Health Justice on LinkedIn and X.
Disability Justice
With an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), there has been more discourse about how to incorporate individuals with disabilities into this vital work. Most adults (70%) believe DEI efforts should explicitly include people with disabilities, according to a nationally representative poll. The message is clear: DEI cannot progress without disability justice. What are the components of disability justice? Who is responsible for disability accommodations?
Reproductive Care Access
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade reversal, 24 states implemented strict abortion measures. Reproductive care is at the forefront of this transformation, impacting essential services. According to a recent nationally representative poll conducted by the AAMC Center for Health Justice, only 42% of U.S. adults find reproductive care, including abortion services, easily accessible. For those earning <$50,000, this drops to 36%. The implications are profound.
Financial Security
Economic indicators hint at a slowdown in inflation and job loss. Despite these positive signs, individuals and households are voicing persistent concerns about financial security. A recent poll by the AAMC Center for Health Justice reveals a nuanced landscape — only 56% of adults feel financially secure. In rural areas just 49% of adults reported feeling financially secure. These numbers prompt crucial questions: Who is most affected by these feelings of financial insecurity, and what are the underlying dynamics at play?
Children's Health
In May 2023 the U.S. surgeon general expressed concern about an “epidemic of loneliness” impacting the mental health of children and adults. Similarly, our recent nationally representative poll of U.S. adults reveals that about 1 in 5 (17%) feel that mental health and stress are top child health concerns. What’s striking is that this concern was ranked even higher than gun violence. These findings suggest that U.S. adults are concerned about overall child health and wellness, not just risks of physical harm. How do these concerns around child health rank across different groups?
Health Equity Concepts
86% of adults polled in a nationally representative sample believe that every community in the United States deserves an equal opportunity to be healthy. Moreover, there is a correlation between income and agreement, with 94% of those earning over $100K, 90% in the $50K-$100K range, and 82% with incomes below $50K sharing this commitment to equal health opportunities. These encouraging results suggest that there is a broad consensus in moving toward an equitable landscape for all people.
Health Care Access
In the continuing discourse related to health care access, our recent survey reveals a significant finding — 69% of U.S. adults agree that it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure everyone has health coverage. What drives these findings? Who feels most strongly about having access to care?
Trust in Health Care Providers
For many, trust in health care providers is a critical component of quality care. Findings from our nationally representative poll of U.S. adults indicate that nearly 1 in 5 adults (17%) don’t feel that their provider is trustworthy. However, trustworthiness increases with age. While 26% of 18- to 34-year-olds express negative feelings related to trustworthiness, only 8% of individuals age 65+ express negative feelings. These results emphasize the changing dynamics of trust across the life span.
Applications for two-year access to the full AAMC CHARGE Investigates data set were open February 5 - March 4, 2024. Five selected teams of AAMC CHARGE members are now using this data to conduct health equity research to inform policy.