Survey Finds Declining Trust in Nation’s Health Leadership
A new Axios-Ipsos poll shows that most Americans believe the nation’s overall health has worsened under President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The October survey found that respondents who say the country is less healthy outnumber those who think it has improved by more than two to one. The findings reflect mounting concerns over the administration’s approach to vaccines, public health agencies, and medical misinformation.
Public Skepticism Grows Toward Key Health Institutions
Confidence in federal health agencies such as the CDC, NIH, and FDA has continued to erode, according to the poll. Support for maintaining childhood vaccination requirements has also weakened—26% of Americans now favor ending school vaccine mandates, up from 19% earlier this year. The shift highlights a broader decline in institutional trust as debates over vaccine safety and government oversight intensify.
Political Divides Shape Views on Health Policy
Partisan differences remain a strong influence on health perceptions. Roughly one in five respondents agreed with Trump’s recent, unsubstantiated claim that Tylenol is linked to autism. While skepticism is most pronounced among Republicans, the poll suggests that doubts about the credibility of both Trump and Kennedy are spreading across party lines, signaling deeper unease about the direction of national health policy.
