Research!America Survey

A Public Opinion Study for Research!America Spring 1999

MEDICAL RESEARCH ADDS TO
NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY

Results of New Jersey's first comprehensive public opinion poll concerning people's attitudes toward medical research indicate it is a high priority among New Jersey residents. They believe that medical research is important to the state's economy, and that individuals, government and business should all become involved in supporting more medical research. The study was designed by Research!America in consultation with Louis Harris & Associates and conducted by Charlton Research Company. Focus groups conducted by Research!America have defined medical research to include the following applied, behavioral, bioengineering, biotechnology, clinical, dental, fundamental (i.e., basic), health, health services, nursing, out-comes, population-based, public health and rehabilitative research.

MEDICAL RESEARCH IS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS

A large majority of New Jersey residents agree that spending money on medical research benefits the state's economy. In fact, 90% of respondents say that it is very or somewhat important to spend money on medical research in New Jersey because it adds jobs and benefits residents' incomes (see figure 1).

Also, nearly all residents (95%) say it is important for the state to be a leader in medical research. How-ever, just less than half believe that New Jersey is, in fact, a leader in medical research (see figure 2). Those who believe New Jersey is a leader in medical research tend to be from a minority background or have a post-graduate education.

Further, fully 97% of New Jersey residents feel it is important for the nation to maintain its role as a world leader in medical research. In fact, compared to a June 1995 poll among adults nationwide, New Jersey residents place a greater emphasis on maintaining this leadership status. While 86% of New Jersey residents believe this leadership role is very important, only 55% of US residents nationwide concur.

TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT ON RESEARCH AND HEALTH EDUCATION

When asked how the New Jersey state government should spend the settlement money it will receive from various tobacco companies, 92% feel the government should spend it on research into the prevention, treatment or cure of disease. A majority of 64% feel the New Jersey state government should spend a lot of money on research. Following medical research, 83% feel the state should spend money on health education to prevent children and teenagers from smoking, with 54% saying the state should spend a lot of money. Agendas that focus on smoking in general (e.g., cessation programs) did not garner as much support (see figure 3).

NEW JERSEY SHOULD OFFER FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO ATTRACT NEW MEDICAL RESEARCH INCENTIVES FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

Eight-in-ten New Jersey residents say they would approve of the state offering financial incentives to attract new medical research, such as labs. More specifically, almost half strongly approve of such funding, while an additional one-third somewhat approve of financial incentives (see figure 4). Those who are between the ages of 45 and 64, as well as those from a minority background, are more likely to approve of such funding.

Also, nearly all residents (95%) say it is important for the state to be a leader in medical research. How-ever, just less than half believe that New Jersey is, in fact, a leader in medical research (see figure 2). Those who believe New Jersey is a leader in medical research tend to be from a minority background or have a post-graduate education.

Further, fully 97% of New Jersey residents feel it is important for the nation to maintain its role as a world leader in medical research. In fact, compared to a June 1995 poll among adults nationwide, New Jersey residents place a greater emphasis on maintaining this leadership status. While 86% of New Jersey residents believe this leadership role is very important, only 55% of US residents nationwide concur.

NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS PLACE A HIGH VALUE ON RESEARCH

Many New Jersey residents also believe that publicly funded research offers value for the tax dollar. In fact, 64% of New Jersey residents feel that for their tax dollar, they receive some or a great deal of value for public health programs. These include research into the prevention of disease, outreach programs about health risks, and education and training of health professionals. Further, 85% believe that - even if it brings no immediate benefits - the federal government should support basic science research (see figure 5).

NEW JERSEY SHOULD OFFER FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO ATTRACT NEW MEDICAL RESEARCH INCENTIVES FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

New Jersey residents also believe clinical research to be of value, with 60% considering it a great value, and one-third saying it is of some value (see figure 6). Moreover, just over half of New Jersey residents say they would be likely to participate as a volunteer in a clinical research study. The most important factor in deciding to participate is the competence and reputation of the people or the institution conducting research. In fact, more than three-quarters feel this would be a primary reason. Other important factors include: the possibility of painful procedures or side effects, privacy and confidentiality issues, and the opportunity to improve their own health or that of others (see figure 7).

Further, 92% say health services research, which seeks to understand why there are differences in quality of care and outcomes for patients, is valuable. In fact, 44% believe such research is of great value.

NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS FAVOR DOUBLING NATIONAL SPENDING FOR RESEARCH AND ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR IT

More than two-thirds of New Jersey residents favor a proposal to double total national spending on government-sponsored medical research over the next five years (see figure 8). In fact, one-third strongly favor this proposal. Those who favor the proposal tend to be between the ages of 18 and 24. Additionally, a majority of 61% favor spending part of the federal budget surplus on medical research (see figure 9).

New Jersey residents approve of government spending on medical research, and they are willing to pay for it personally. More specifically, two-thirds of residents say they would be willing to spend $1 more per week in taxes for more health research. Further, two-thirds would also be willing to pay $1 more for each prescription drug. Those who are more willing to personally pay for more medical research tend to be from a minority background.

New Jersey residents also support the concept of private spending. In fact, 79% of those surveyed agree that Congress should support tax and regulatory policies that encourage private industries to conduct more medical research (see figure 10).

Further, when asked if they can think of any area of medical research where the government is spending too much money, just over 75% say they either don't know or can't think of any. Less than one-fourth could mention an area of medical research in which the government is spending too much money. AIDS garnered just above three percent, and cloning, abortion or fetal tissue research, and cancer each garnered just below three percent.

Interestingly, when asked whether scientists conducting medical research, actual patients, or Congress should have the most influence on how government medical research funds are spent, respondents are clearly divided. While 42% say scientists conducting research should have the most influence, 42% also feel patients with various diseases and their families should have the most influence. Slightly more than ten percent feel Congress should have the most influence (see figure 11).

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE MOST CREDIBLE

New Jersey residents consider the most trustworthy sources of information about health and medical research issues to be personal physicians, nurses, medical schools, and dentists. In fact, about 94% consider their personal physician to be very or somewhat credible, and 92% express this general sentiment about nurses. Additionally, 91% find medical schools credible, and doctors garner credibility from 90% of state residents. Pharmaceutical companies are considered significantly less credible, with less than three-fourths saying they are either very or somewhat credible, followed distantly by Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Rankings are somewhat more dramatic when looking only at very trustworthy ratings (see figure 12).

In addition to considering their personal physician an extremely credible source of information, 83% of those surveyed say it is important that their doctor should be involved with medical research. More specifically, 42% feel it is very important. However, while New Jersey residents feel it is important for doctors to be involved with medical research, less than one-quarter say they have ever talked to their doctor about medical research (see figure 13). Those who are over age 55 or have a post-graduate education are more likely to have discussed medical research with their doctor.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, AND CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION HAVE LOW PUBLIC RECOGNITION

Despite their eagerness to support medical research efforts, New Jersey residents generally do not know what agency is responsible for spending their tax dollars on medical research (see figure 14). Sixty-eight percent say they cannot name the government agency that funds most of the medical research paid for by taxpayers, and only seven percent correctly identified the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Similarly, 75% cannot name the government agency that funds most of the basic research and educational programming in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering in this country. Only five percent correctly identified the National Science Foundation (NSF). Finally, while 57% do not know the name of the agency whose primary mission is disease prevention and health promotion, just over one-quarter correctly identified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In contrast, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) garners a high level of public recognition, with nearly three-quarters correctly identifying the government agency which conducts the review and approval of new drugs and devices before they can be put on the market. Similarly, over 60% of New Jersey residents can correctly name the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as the government agency that funds most of the space exploration and research.

TAX AND REGULATORY BARRIERS IMPEDE PROGRESS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH AS DOES INSUFFICIENT FUNDS

Almost two-thirds (64%) of New Jersey residents feel that tax and regulatory barriers in medical research is a reason why the nation is not making more progress. A majority of 57% also feel that the nation is not making more progress because not enough money is being spent. Additionally, while just over one-third feel that easier problems have been solved and scientific breakthroughs are focusing on more complex medical issues, the majority (55%) do not feel this a reason. Finally, while over a third also feel that not having enough medical researchers is a reason for slower progress, 51% do not agree.

ALSO OF INTEREST...

When asked to name any concerns related to medical research, over one-third of respondents say they have no concerns or could not think of any. Concerns related to medical research include: the need for more information, finding cures for incurable diseases, and financial accountability.

Eighty-four percent of New Jersey residents are more likely to think a hospital is "good" if the hospital is doing research and training medical students. In fact, a majority of 56% say they are much more likely to think it is a "good" hospital (see figure 15).

Seventy percent of those surveyed believe there is too little information in the media about medical research. This is a sharp contrast to those who say too much coverage is awarded to political scandals (85%) and entertainment news (72%).

New Jersey residents are not in consensus about the time taken by the FDA to approve medical devices and drugs. Sixty percent agree that such extra time is justified, even in light of shorter time frames used by other countries. However, a little over one-third do not believe the time taken is justified.

A strong majority of all residents are unaware of how New Jersey's federal legislators stand on the issue of medical research. Close to 90% say they don't know the position of their Representative, 87% are unaware of Senator Robert Torricelli's position, and 84% say they are unaware of Senator Frank Lautenberg's position. Forty-six percent of New Jersey residents are unable to identify any institutions, companies or organizations in their area where medical research is conducted. A total of eleven percent of residents cite the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, and ten percent mention Johnson & Johnson as local medical research locations. Eight percent overall cite Merck, a New Jersey based pharmaceutical company.

METHODOLOGY

Charlton Research Company conducted a telephone survey among 800 adults in New Jersey. The entire sample was proportionate to the state's demographics, including geography, gender, voter registration, and ethnicity. The survey, fielded January 25 - February 7, 1999, has a theoretical sampling error of +/-3.5%. Please note that much of the question text in this report has been paraphrased. The national survey data referenced are taken from a Louis Harris June 1995 survey of 1,004 adults with a theoretical sampling error of +/-3.1%.

This poll was commissioned by Research!America, a non-profit, membership-supported national alliance of groups and individuals dedicated to enhancing public education and advocacy for medical research.

For more information about the New Jersey poll, including a list of sponsoring organizations, or with other questions about public attitudes toward medical research, contact Research!America at:

908 King Street, Suite 400 East
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: 703/739-2577
Fax: 703/739-2372