1. Insights from the Public Perspective Mary Woolley President, Research!America Institute of Medicine Annual Meeting October 13, 2008 Washington, DC Mary Woolley President, Research!America Institute of Medicine Annual Meeting October 13, 2008 Washington, DC

2. “…public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.” –Abraham Lincoln “…public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.” –Abraham Lincoln

3. The American Public Is very worried about the cost of health care Is very angry about greed Is concerned about health disparities Can cite reasons disparities exist Doesn’t use the language of this meeting (disparities/social determinants/etc) Trusts health care professionals and voluntary health organizations Is influenced by media (of all kinds)

4. The American Public Says the quality of health care is getting worse not better Says much health care, including their own, is not evidence-based Believes research is part of the solution to health care costs, not part of the problem Is optimistic that breakthroughs will occur Is Going to be heard

5. Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 Tell me how worried you are about each of the following things (% saying very worried): Survey of 1,081 registered voters interviewed by telephone between September 8 and 13, 2008.

6. Americans Cite Greed as Top Cause of Rising Health Care Costs Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29 Charlton Research Company for Research!America The majority of Americans say our health care costs too much. What would you say is the number one reason for that? (first mentions)

7. Americans Think Habits and Personal Choices Trump Genes Which do you think is more important in determining how healthy you are: personal habits and choices or genetics and inherited family traits? Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

8. Causes of Health Disparities When considering possible causes for health differences among minority groups, which of the following possible causes do you think has the most impact? Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29, and National Poll, December 2006 Charlton Research Company for Research!America 2008 2006

9. Factors in Who Receives High-Quality Health Care The quality of health care varies among populations in the U.S. How important do you think each of the following is in determining if someone receives high-quality health care? (% responding “very important”) 2008 2006 Source: National Poll, 2008, fielded September 24-29, and National Poll, December 2006 Charlton Research Company for Research!America

10. Drop in Percent Who Say Their Health Care Services Are Based on Research Do you believe that the health care services you personally receive are based on the best and most recent research available? Sources: National Poll 2005 and National Poll 2008, fielded September 24-29 Charlton Research Company for Research!America 2005 2008

11. Americans Want To Be Genetically Tested for Personalized Medicine Would you want to be genetically tested to determine which medications might be most effective and safest for you? Sources: Taking Our Pulse: The PARADE/Research!America Health Poll 2006, and National Poll 2008, fielded September 24-29; Charlton Research Company for Research!America 2006 2008

12. Americans Split on Solutions to Obesity Source: National Poll, 2006 Charlton Research Company for Research!America Some people say: Obesity is a private issue people need to deal with on their own. Other people say: Obesity is a public health issue that society needs to help solve. Which statement comes closer to your opinion?

13. Perceived Obesity Among Children Source: National Poll, 2006 Charlton Research Company for Research!America What percentage of American children do you think is overweight or obese?

14. Americans Think Responsibility for Obesity Lies Close to Home Source: National Poll, 2006 Charlton Research Company for Research!America How much responsibility does each of the following have in helping address the issue of obesity?

15. Great Expectations for Medical Breakthroughs Source: Transforming Health Poll, 2007 Charlton Research Company for Research!America Please tell me whether you think medical breakthroughs will occur within the next 10 years for each of the following: (% saying yes)

16. “Nothing about us without us.” - Motto of United Nations’ International Day of Disabled Persons 2004 “Nothing about us without us.” - Motto of United Nations’ International Day of Disabled Persons 2004 It is critical to engage the public in tackling the health care challenge

17. Your Candidates-Your Health 2008 Candidate Outreach –All presidential and Congressional candidates have been invited to respond to a questionnaire based on suggestions made by readers of PARADE magazine –Extensive public outreach through the Research!America advocacy network and almost 50 sponsoring partners to encourage candidates to respond –Check it out! www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org

18. www.researchamerica.org www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org