These days, it seems nearly everyone has a plan to improve the U.S. economy. Yet what average Americans deem important to solving the nation’s problems–especially when it comes to health care–appears vastly different from what the field of presidential candidates is currently proposing. While Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich advocate cutting taxes, spending and regulation as a way to create jobs, a majority of citizens believe economic growth hinges on more public money funding health and science research.
According to a compilation of public opinion polls by Research!America, over three-quarters (77 percent) of Americans believe the U.S. is losing its international competitiveness in science and technology, and nearly the same number (70 percent) want the government to do more to encourage students to seek degrees in science, technology, mathematics and engineering. Eighty-six percent see advances in science as benefiting society and improving quality of life. A whopping 91 percent believe research and development holds the key to improving their state’s economy.
Opinions regarding health research in the U.S. are equally surprising. Over half (54 percent) of citizens think the U.S. doesn’t have the world’s best health care system. About 60 percent believe the U.S. is failing to make adequate progress in medical research, especially when it comes to preventative measures that could help people combat obesity, smoking and other health hazards. Fifty-two percent of survey participants think the government should be involved in prevention research. A staggering 82 percent want medical research that seeks to understand and eliminate disparities in the nation’s health care system, such as higher rates of disease and infant mortality among the poor.
But those aren’t the only surprises in the data. Seventy-nine percent of Americans surveyed support increasing the FDA’s funding, rating it as either “somewhat important” or “very important.” Ninety-one percent see investments in education as vital to economic recovery and growth. And 50 percent indicated they would be willing to pay an extra $1 a week in taxes to support additional medical research.
Former Illinois Congressman John Porter, chair of Research!America, says the findings show how necessary it is for the government to “do more to sustain and build our economy.” He says Americans have seen first-hand how cities that made scientific research a priority have benefited, which is why they should elect public officials dedicated to funding research. Investing in science education in particular contributes to the country’s long-term economic health.
President and CEO of Research!America, Mary Wolley, says turning to scientific research as a potential solution to the nation’s economic problems is a “smart strategy” for politicians, and one that should be reflected in public policy. The 2012 election will prove to be a significant one with so much at stake for both the economy and the future of publicly funded research. Perhaps someone should tell the Romney campaign, because his 59-point economic recovery plan doesn’t appear to include public investments in research.
