What’s the news: While the vast majority of Americans trust the public health information they are getting from their own primary care physicians and organizations such as the AMA, nearly three in five say they do not have confidence in the advice they are hearing from the leaders of federal agencies.
Those sobering findings are the result of a nationally representative poll of nearly 1,700 U.S. adults conducted in February by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg Public Policy Center.
Nearly 90% of those polled said they had confidence in the health information they gets from their source of primary care, while 73% trusted info from the AMA and about the same said they believed what they heard from career scientists at federal agencies. By contrast, only 43% felt they could trust the public health communications from the leaders at federal agencies.
Why it’s important: The results highlight a widening trust gap in the nation’s health information landscape and underscore the importance of trusted medical voices grounded in science.
“Trust is the foundation of effective health care and public health,” said AMA CEO and Executive Vice President John Whyte, MD, MPH. “In a challenging information environment, patients need clear, evidence-based guidance they can rely on. Physicians and medical organizations have a responsibility to help rebuild trust by communicating what the science shows and putting patients’ health first. Health information is everywhere today, but its accuracy is harder than ever to determine. The AMA is dedicated to helping patients cut through the clutter and elevate the valid over the viral. Accurate, trustworthy information saves lives.”
The AMA continues to advocate for science-driven health policy and clear communication grounded in the best available evidence to support patients and physicians. The AMA recognizes the need for a strong public health system that can foster and sustain a healthier future for everyone across the nation.
The poll results come amid a South Carolina measles outbreak that is the country’s biggest since 2000. In January, the AMA joined a dozen other physician and health-professional organizations to endorse the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) 2026 immunization schedule.
“In decades of real-world data demonstrating the lifesaving impact of timely vaccination in the midst of high seasonal flu and RSV activity and a significant resurgence in measles cases across the country, it is more important than ever for the public to have transparent and consistent communication from trusted sources,” AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, said in an AAP press conference at the time.
“We urge parents and caregivers to continue partnering with their child’s physician to make vaccination decisions. Together we can help prevent the reemergence of disease with devastating consequences like polio, measles and pertussis, and keep children healthy and safe,” Dr. Mukkamala added.
The AMA offers a list of vaccine recommendations from a variety of physician organizations. The Annenberg poll found that 77% of adults trusted public health information from the AAP.
Learn more: Ahead of respiratory-virus season, the AMA released tools to help patients and physicians cut through the confusion around vaccines and have open, honest conversations with each other. An infographic for patients (PDF) explains why vaccines are an important part of staying healthy and encourages them to talk with their doctor if they have questions. A second infographic for physicians (PDF) includes sample conversation starters they can use when speaking with patients who may be unsure about vaccines—helping to build trust and understanding. These resources are collected on the AMA page that outlines how to answer patients’ questions about vaccines.
The AMA has regularly weighed in with press statements, commentary, op-eds and advocacy efforts to maintain patients’ access to vaccines. Find out what doctors wish patients knew about family immunizations and flu vaccines.
