A recent poll conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation surveyed over 3,300 U.S. adults from mid-March to the end of March 2025, revealing significant concerns about public trust in health agencies.

These findings present a dual challenge for new leadership: to maintain public trust while navigating a politically charged environment and leveraging bipartisan support on health priorities.

Only a third of those who believe the CDC will improve express confidence in its ability to reduce waste or make evidence-based recommendations.

The poll's methodology involved a representative sample and has a margin of error of +/- 2.0 percentage points, underscoring the reliability of the findings.

The poll indicates that 44% of Americans expect to lose trust in public health recommendations due to changes in leadership at federal health agencies, while only 28% anticipate an increase in trust.

Partisan divides are evident in the findings, with 76% of Democrats fearing a loss of trust compared to 57% of Republicans who expect to gain trust.

Concerns about the CDC's future effectiveness are widespread, as 52% of respondents expect worse performance, influenced heavily by political affiliations.

Despite the divisions in trust, there is bipartisan agreement on health priorities, including chronic disease prevention, pandemic protection, maternal and infant health, and safe drinking water.

Experts warn that declining trust could hinder public health crisis management and emphasize the need for improved communication and leadership strategies.

The overall trust in the CDC has remained relatively stable post-COVID-19, with 77% of adults expressing either a great deal or some trust in its recommendations.

The survey highlights emerging 'fault lines' in public trust, reflecting fears of corporate influence and inadequate focus on health disparities.

Restoring trust in public health institutions is seen as a major challenge, requiring nuanced approaches and clear, consistent messaging from trusted leaders.