Political Ideology Impacts Trust in Scientists for Cancer Information

Although most US adults view scientists as reliable sources of cancer information, trust varies sharply across the political spectrum, a new analysis of the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey reveals.1 The study found that individuals with more conservative views were significantly less likely to report high trust, highlighting the need for tailored, evidence-based communication strategies that resonate with diverse ideological groups.

A national survey shows high overall trust in scientists, but confidence declines steadily with political conservatism. | Image credit: Sharne T/peopleimages.com - stock.adobe.com

This cross-sectional study is published in JAMA Network Open.

The importance of public trust in science could not have been heightened more than in the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with the HHS under the current leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr, known for being a vocal critic of vaccines, trust in public health institutions remains essential for effective disease prevention, vaccination uptake, and public adherence to health guidance.2 Experts and lawmakers have highlighted how political interference, inconsistent messaging, and perceived politicization—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—have eroded confidence in agencies like the CDC.

Without trust, public health efforts face lower compliance, confusion among families and providers, and poorer health outcomes, especially for children.

“Our findings underscore important implications for science communication,” wrote the researchers of the study.1 “First, scientists have an important role in public health communication regarding cancer risk, prevention, screening recommendations, and treatment advances. Second, there is a need to identify trusted messengers who can connect with ideologically diverse audiences on these issues in a manner that communicates the key cancer messaging for prevention or treatment. Third, this work serves as a call to action for the scientific community to prioritize science literacy in public health communication.”

The researchers conducted a nationally representative survey administered by the NCI by mail from March to September 2024 using a sampling frame designed to capture noninstitutionalized US adults aged 18 years and older. Political ideology was assessed on a 7-point scale ranging from very liberal to very conservative, and trust in scientists for cancer information was categorized as high or low. The researchers estimated associations between political ideology and trust, with all analyses weighted to represent the US adult population.

Among a total of 6260 adults included in the final sample, the mean age was 48.4 (95% CI, 47.9-48.9) years, 21.1% were men, and 35.1% had a college degree.

Most respondents—86.0% (95% CI, 84.4%-87.5%)—reported high trust in scientists as sources of cancer information. Trust levels, however, declined steadily across the political spectrum. In adjusted models, each 1-point shift toward greater conservatism was associated with a 25% decrease in the odds of reporting high trust (adjusted OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.68-0.83).

Moreover, 93.7% of those identifying as liberal (95% CI, 88.3%-96.7%) reported high trust, compared with 70.5% among those identifying as very conservative (95% CI, 63.9%-76.4%), underscoring substantial and quantifiable differences in trust tied to political ideology.

However, the researchers acknowledged some limitations. The overall response rate was relatively low, raising the possibility of nonresponse bias, although the use of analytic survey weights helped mitigate this concern. Additionally, both political ideology and trust in scientists were measured using single-item questions, which may have limited the ability to capture multidimensional attitudes. Finally, because this analysis reflects a single time point, it cannot assess how trust dynamics may shift in response to evolving political or scientific landscapes, underscoring the need for longitudinal research to track trends over time.

Despite these limitations, the researchers believe the study reinforces the role of political ideology in shaping public trust in scientists, which is crucial in communicating cancer risks, prevention strategies, and treatment options.

“The data showed that scientists remained broadly trusted figures in cancer communication,” wrote the researchers. “This resilience in public trust provides a valuable foundation for continued efforts to promote science-based information and reduce the burden of cancer across all communities.”

References

1. Wheldon CW, Tallapragada M, Thompson El. Public trust in scientists for cancer information across political ideologies in the US. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(12):e2546818. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.46818

2. Steinzor P. Former CDC director raises alarm on childhood vaccine schedule changes. AJMC®. September 17, 2025. Accessed December 3, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/former-cdc-director-raises-alarm-on-childhood-vaccine-schedule-changes