Public Trust in Scientists for Cancer Information Across Political Ideologies in the US

Public trust in scientists is essential for effective cancer communication and uptake of cancer control strategies. However, growing political polarization in the US may affect trust in scientific authorities.

To determine whether political ideology is associated with trust in scientists as sources of cancer information, and whether individuals with more conservative political views would report lower levels of trust in scientists.

This survey study is a cross-sectional secondary analysis of the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey, a nationally representative survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute. This population-based sample of noninstitutionalized US adults was collected by mail using a stratified random sampling frame from March to September 2024. Respondents were aged 18 years or older and demographically diverse. The sample was weighted to be representative of the US adult population.

Political ideology measured on a 7-point bipolar scale from very liberal to very conservative.

Trust in scientists for cancer information, dichotomized as high (some or a lot) vs low (not at all or a little). Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to estimate associations.

Of 7278 respondents (response rate, 27.3%), 6260 were included in the final analytic sample after excluding cases with missing data on the primary exposure or outcome. The mean age was 48.4 years (95% CI, 47.9-48.9 years). There were 52.1% men (95% CI, 51.2%-53.0%), and 35.1% reported a college degree (95% CI, 34.5%-35.7%). Most respondents (5320 individuals ) reported high trust in scientists as sources of cancer information (86.0%; 95% CI, 84.4%-87.5%). In adjusted logistic regression models, each 1-point increase toward greater conservatism was associated with a 25% decrease in the odds of reporting high trust (adjusted odds ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.68-0.83). Adjusted estimated probabilities of high trust decreased across the political spectrum, from 93.7% those identifying as liberal (95% CI, 88.3%-96.7%) to 70.5% among those identifying as very conservative (95% CI, 63.9%-76.4%).

In this survey study of US adults, overall trust in scientists as sources of cancer information was high. However, a clear ideological gradient suggests the need for tailored messaging and trusted messengers to reach politically diverse audiences with evidence-based cancer information.