Higher trust in government is associated with lower COVID-19 infection and higher vaccination rates, according to a new report.
In the U.S., of those with lower trust in the health system, less than half were vaccinated, compared to 84% of those with higher trust. Those with less trust were also less likely to have had a routine health checkup in the past year, according to the 2022 Edelman trust barometer report (PDF), which surveyed 10,000 respondents across 10 countries, including 1,000 respondents in the U.S., in February.
Among nine other countries, the U.S. was in third place in terms of the highest percentage of people who believe in public health measures over personal freedom. However, high-trusting respondents were more likely to be supportive of these measures than low-trusting respondents.
The U.S. was tied in fifth place with China in those willing to accept changing expert recommendations, with high-trusting respondents again more likely to accept them. Nearly half of respondents in the U.S. said COVID-19 has decreased their confidence that the healthcare system is well-equipped to handle similar crises; this was slightly lower than the global average.
Of nine other countries, the U.S. was in second to last place in terms of people who agreed healthcare is a basic human right. It had the lowest share of people who said the quality of care they can access is less than very good, with just over a third saying so compared to more than three-quarters of people in South Korea.
But the number of those who say it is less than very good grew significantly among people of color in the U.S. More white and Asian people trust healthcare companies than Black or Hispanic people, the report found.
Compared to the global average, the U.S. ranked better in terms of the share of people feeling confident in their ability to get answers to healthcare questions. But fewer Republicans trust healthcare companies than Democrats; more Republicans also believe science is being politicized.
Globally, among those who are vaccinated, the top source of information on vaccinations is their doctor, followed by national health experts. Among those who are unvaccinated, their top source is the internet, followed by friends and family. (Health experts are last.) Also globally, the majority of people agree their employer should play a meaningful role in their health.
In its report, Edelman recommended healthcare stakeholders work to build trust in localized communities. And every institution, especially employers, has a role to play in influencing good health choices and building trust in public health experts when trust in government is low. Finally, to prepare for the next disaster, the industry should aim to address disparities and issues like climate and racial justice.