Wellcome data finds Americans doubt hospitals more than science
Wellcome Global Monitor data show trust in science has dropped back to pre-pandemic levels, with the steepest declines among people facing financial strain. Americans still rank high on science trust globally, yet they are more skeptical of local medical providers.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
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What happened
Wellcome Global Monitor data show trust in science has fallen to pre-pandemic levels, especially among people facing financial insecurity. Americans trust science more than most nations do but doubt hospitals and clinics. Health leaders are weighing ways to boost confidence in science-backed public health.
Timeline
- Oct 13, 8:57 PM ET: New Wellcome data showed 40% of Americans had strong confidence in hospitals and clinics, while 52% trusted science a lot.
- Oct 14, 5:02 AM ET: Wellcome Global Monitor findings showed trust in science had fallen fastest among those living in financial insecurity.
- Oct 14, 10:11 PM ET: Health leaders began considering ways to boost confidence in science-backed public health.
Coverage
- Americans who go to church and trust science are also more likely to believe in ghosts and curses, new research shows (The Conversation)
- Health leaders ponder ways to boost confidence in science-backed public health (spokesman.com)
- Trust in science falls fastest among those left behind (abdulmalikfahd)
- Only 40% of Americans Have Strong Confidence in Hospitals and Clinics While 52% Trust Science a Lot (medicaldaily.com)
- Global trust in science lower than before Covid pandemic, report finds (The Independent)
- Trust in science falls as Covid-era confidence fades, finds global survey (Business Standard)
- Trust in science falls as Covid-era confidence fades, global survey finds (The Straits Times)
- Trust in science falls as COVID-era confidence fades, global survey finds (The Japan Times)
- Global trust in science falls below pre-pandemic levels, survey finds (Investing.com)
- Americans trust science more than peers around the world, survey shows (statnews.com)
- Wellcome Global Monitor 2026: Trust in science has declined worldwide, but the picture varies sharply by region (wellcome.org)
- Wellcome Global Monitor 2026: Trust in science under pressure (wellcome.org)
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