New study reveals that about 65% of U.S. adults worry climate change negatively impacts their personal health, influenced by trust in science, political views, and environmental experiences.
As climate change intensifies extreme weather conditions across the country, a new study published in Health Affairs Scholar indicates that approximately 65% of U.S. adults are concerned about how it will harm their health. The research was conducted by a collaborative effort between the University of Hawai'i at Manoa Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, analyzing responses from 6,888 participants in the Health Information National Trends Survey.
The study's co-authors, Alex Ortega, dean of the Thompson school, and Jim Stimpson, a professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, highlight that trust in science, political views, and personal environmental experiences significantly shape how people perceive the health risks associated with climate change. According to Ortega, "This study shows that concern about the health impacts of climate change is driven less by who people are and more by how they think and what they experience."
Trust in scientific information plays a crucial role; individuals who report higher trust in science are more likely to express concerns regarding climate-related health impacts compared to those with lower levels of trust. Additionally, political views also influence responses significantly. Compared to respondents who identified as politically liberal, moderates and conservatives were less likely to report concern about climate change harming their health.
Personal environmental experiences further shaped perceptions among participants. Those who reported experiencing extreme weather in their neighborhoods or worrying about outdoor air quality were more inclined to perceive climate-related health risks. The study suggests that public health messaging should focus on building trust in science, reaching people across political spectrums, and connecting climate change with local conditions they can directly experience.
Researchers emphasized that adopting this approach could help keep communities informed and engaged as climate policies evolve. Stimpson noted, "How we communicate about climate and health affects everyone. When messages don't build trust or feel personally relevant, people are less likely to recognize these risks or support policies that protect public health."
The findings underscore the importance of integrating scientific credibility with local relevance in communicating climate change impacts on health. This collaborative study by leading institutions aims to inform policymakers and public health officials about how best to address the growing concerns among Americans regarding climate-related health threats.
Key Medical Concepts: Climate Change Health Status Preventive Medicine Clinical Categories
Common Illnesses & Prevention
Provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa
Who's Behind This Story? Sadie Harley, BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries.
Andrew Zinin, Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays a key role in Science X's editorial success.
Citation: Most Americans are concerned climate change will harm their health, data reveal (2026, May 15). Retrieved from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-americans-climate-health-reveal.html
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