CDC Trust Among Americans Drops Sharply to 50 Percent, Poll Shows
A Harvard University and de Beaumont Foundation poll found that only 50 percent of Americans now trust CDC health recommendations, down from 77 percent in 2025. The decline follows major personnel changes at health agencies under the Trump administration, including the firing of vaccine scientists and departures of senior CDC leadership. The shift reflects deepening partisan divides, with Democratic trust falling to 34 percent while Republican trust rose to 67 percent.
Trust in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has experienced a significant decline during President Donald Trump's second term, according to a new poll of approximately 2,200 adults conducted between March 19 and April 1, 2026. The survey found that only 50 percent of Americans trust CDC health recommendations, representing a sharp drop from 77 percent who expressed trust in 2025. This decline coincides with substantial changes at health agencies, including the firing of long-time vaccine scientists by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., resignations of senior CDC officials, reduced coordination with international health organizations like the WHO, and proposed changes to vaccine recommendations for children. The trust decline is heavily partisan, with Democratic trust falling to 34 percent and Independent trust to 47 percent, while Republican trust increased to 67 percent. Despite low institutional trust in health agencies, Americans maintain confidence in individual medical professionals, with nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and major health organizations like the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society enjoying support from 80 percent or more of respondents.
What's missing
The article does not provide specific details about the rationale or stated justifications from the Trump administration and HHS for these policy changes, limiting readers' ability to understand the administration's perspective on the restructuring. Additionally, the article lacks information about what specific vaccine recommendations were altered or the scientific basis cited for the food pyramid changes.
How coverage differed
Scientific American's coverage emphasizes criticism from public health experts and medical associations regarding agency changes, presenting them as potentially endangering health. The framing highlights partisan divisions while noting that 60 percent of all adults believe the government has cut research too far, providing some balance to the narrative of institutional distrust.
What different sources said
- Scientific AmericanCenter
Americans’ trust in the CDC has plummeted since 2025, new poll finds
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