KFF Health Information and Trust Polling Dashboard

U.S. Adults Are Most Trusting of Their Own Doctors for Health Information; Fewer Trust Government Health Authorities

How much do you trust each of the following for reliable information about health issues?

Partisanship shapes who the public trusts for health information, especially when it comes to Secretary Kennedy and President Trump. Two-thirds of Republicans, rising to three-quarters among MAGA-supporting Republicans, say they trust Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for reliable health information compared to one-third or fewer independents and Democrats who say the same. On the other hand, Democrats are somewhat more likely than Republicans to trust their state officials for health information, while similar shares of Democrats and Republicans say they trust the CDC or FDA. Individual health care providers are the most-trusted source for health information across partisanship.

Doctors Are the Most Trusted Source of Health Information Across Partisanship, but Trust in Secretary Kennedy and President Trump Is Largely Partisan

Share who say they have a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the following for reliable information about health issues:

Across demographic groups – including age, gender, race and ethnicity, and education – health care providers remain the most trusted source of health information. For other health information sources, trust does not differ consistently across most of these groups, but White adults and those without a college degree are more likely than their peers to express trust in Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for health information.

Doctors Remain the Most Trusted Source of Health Information Across Many Demographics While Race and Education Play a Role in Trust of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy

Share who say they have a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the following for reliable information about health issues:

Trust in the CDC as an Information Source Has Declined Amid Changing Partisan Views

Percent who have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide reliable information about vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, and coronavirus

FF polling has found trust in vaccine information from other health agencies and officials has also declined amid partisan divisions since 2020, including for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state government officials, and local public health departments. 

Trust in Government Agencies and Officials For Health Information Has Declined Since the Pandemic

Percent who say they have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the following to provide reliable information about vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, and coronavirus

Who Parents Trust for Childhood Vaccine Information

Among parents of children under age 18, pediatricians are the most trusted source of reliable vaccine information. Smaller shares, but still majorities, also trust their local public health department, the CDC, and the FDA. Over half of parents trust their friends and family for vaccine information, while far fewer express trust in Robert F. Kennedy Jr., pharmaceutical companies, or health and wellness influencers. As with the public overall, partisanship plays a role in who parents trust for vaccine information. For more information, see the KFF/Washington Post Survey of Parents.

Children’s Pediatricians Are the Most Trusted Source of Vaccine Information Among Parents, While Trust in the CDC and FDA is More Divided

Percent who say they trust each of the following a great deal or a fair amount to provide reliable information about vaccines:

Republican and Independent Parents Are Less Likely Than Democratic Parents To Trust Public Health Agencies For Vaccine Information But More Likely To Trust Secretary Kennedy

Percent who say they trust each of the following a great deal or a fair amount to provide reliable information about vaccines:

Among parents, Secretary Kennedy garners trust on vaccines from a majority of Republican supporters of the Make America Great Again, or MAGA, movement (18% of all parents) and supporters of the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement (38% of all parents). While slim majorities of these MAGA and MAHA parents trust Kennedy for vaccine information, larger shares express trust in their child’s pediatrician.

Pediatricians Are the Most Trusted Source of Childhood Vaccine Information Among MAGA and MAHA Supporting Parents, But Majorities Also Trust HHS Secretary Kennedy

Percent of parents of children under age 18 who say they trust each of the following a great deal or a fair amount to provide reliable information about vaccines:

Use button below to see data among MAGA and MAHA supporting parents

Use and Trust of News Sources for Health Information

KFF’s Health Misinformation Tracking Poll Pilot measured the public’s consumption of a variety of television, print, radio, and digital news media sources as well as their trust in these sources for information about health issues. Overall, few adults both regularly consume most news sources and trust them a lot for information on health issues, with local and network television news topping the list. Nearly a quarter (23%) of adults say they regularly watch their local TV station and would trust it “a lot” for health information, while a similar share (21%) say the same about national network news. Other news sources, including NPR, CNN, Fox News, local newspapers, The New York Times, digital news aggregators, and MSNBC have trusting audiences that make up between one in ten and one in six of the overall public.    

Small Shares of the Public Both Regularly Consume and Trust Many News Sources For Health Information

When it comes to staying up-to-date with news, do you regularly read, watch, or listen to each of the following? And how much would you trust information about health issues reported by the following:

Social Media Use for Health Information

Just over half of adults say they use social media to find health information and advice “at least occasionally,” including larger shares of younger adults, and Black and Hispanic adults. For more information on social media use and trust see KFF’s July 2025 Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust.

A Little Over Half of Adults Say They Use Social Media To Find Health Information and Advice at Least Occasionally, Including Larger Shares of Younger Adults, and Black and Hispanic Adults

How often, if at all, do you use social media such as Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or similar sites or apps to find health information and advice?

While just over half of the public report actively using social media to find health information and advice, larger shares report being exposed to such information, with majorities saying they have recently seen content related to weight loss, diet, or nutrition and mental health.

Weight Loss, Diet, Nutrition and Mental Health Top List of Health-Related Topics People See on Social Media

Percent who say they have seen information about the following on social media in the past 30 days:

 

While four in ten social media users say they regularly get information about news and politics from social media influencers, far fewer (15%) say they turn to influencers for health information and advice. Younger adults, Black adults, and more frequent social media users are more likely than their peers to say they rely on influencers for health information. For more information on the relative impact of influencers on the public and health policy debates, see KFF CEO Drew Altman’s column.

Few Social Media Users Regularly Get Health Information and Advice From Influencers, but About Four in Ten Get Political News From Them

Percent of social media users who say they regularly get the following from influencers on social media:

Trust in Social Media for Health Information

Across different social media platforms, fewer than half of users say they find at least “some” of the health information they see on these platforms to be trustworthy. Younger users tend to be more trusting than older users of health content on certain platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Reddit.

Across Social Media Types, Fewer Than Half of Users Say They Trust the Health Information They Come Across, but Some Younger Users Are More Trusting

Percent who say that most or some of the health information or advice they see on each of the following social media platforms is trustworthy:

While few say they trust social media when it comes to health, KFF’s 2023 Health Misinformation Tracking Poll Pilot found that that those who turn to social media more frequently for health information may be more susceptible to health misinformation. Adults who reported using social media at least weekly were more likely than less frequent users to believe at least one false claim related to either COVID-19, reproductive health, or firearms

Frequent Social Media Use Is Tied to Belief in Health Misinformation

Percent who have heard at least one item of misinformation from the following health topics and say it is definitely true or probably true:

 

AI and Health Information

About a third (32%) of the public reports turning to AI chatbots for health information and advice in the past year – rivaling social media as a health information source, but less common than reliance on health care providers or internet search engines (where they may be encountering AI generated results, even if they are not looking for them). The share of adults using AI for health information includes three in ten who say they’ve used these chatbots in the past year for information or advice about their physical health, and one in six who’ve used them for mental health information or advice. For more information, see KFF’s March 2026 Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust.

One in Three Adults Have Used AI for Health Information and Advice in the Past Year

Percent who say they have sought information or advice about their...from each of the following sources in the past year:

Larger shares of younger adults report turning to AI for either physical health or mental health information in the past year. When it comes to mental health advice, uninsured adults and Black and Hispanic adults are more likely than insured adults and White adults to have turned to AI.

Larger Shares of Younger Adults, Black and Hispanic Adults, and Those Who Are Uninsured Are Turning to AI for Mental Health Advice

Percent who say they have sought information or advice about each of the following from artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the past year:

People report using AI for either physical health or mental health information in a variety of ways, most commonly to look up symptoms or general information about health conditions. Fewer say they used AI to help make decisions about whether to seek medical care for either physical or mental health concerns.

Looking Up Information About Symptoms or a Health Condition Is the Most Common Use of AI For Health

Percent who say they have done each of the following:

Bar chart showing percent who say they have used artificial intelligence tools for information and advice about their physical health in the past year, and whether they have used it for specific reasons.

Used AI for information or advice about their physical health in the past year to…

The most common reason people cite for turning to AI for health advice is wanting quick or immediate support. Many also cite wanting to look up information before seeing a provider or feeling more comfortable looking up health questions privately. One in five cite health care access or affordability issues as major reasons for turning to AI for health questions, including larger shares of younger adults and those with lower household incomes

Wanting Quick and Immediate Information Drives Most AI Use for Health Advice, Younger and Lower Income Adults Are More Likely To Cite Health Costs and Access

People use AI tools for health information for different reasons. For each of the following, please indicate whether it was a major reason or a minor reason you used an AI tool or chatbot for health information:

Among the public overall, few adults say they trust AI tools to provide reliable information about health, but most adults who have used AI for health information and advice say they trust these chatbots to provide reliable health information.

Few Adults Say They Trust AI To Provide Reliable Health or Mental Health Information, Though Most Users Do

How much do you trust artificial intelligence (AI) tools or chatbots to provide reliable information about each of the following:

Awareness and Belief in False or Unproven Health Claims

Exposure to health misinformation is often widespread, but relatively small shares of the public express certainty that many false or unproven claims are true. In fact, most of the public fall in a “malleable middle,” saying these claims are either “probably true” or “probably false.” The public’s uncertainty around false or unproven health claims related to COVID-19 , vaccines , measles  and the purported causal link between Tylenol and autism presents an opportunity for interventions to clear up confusion and deliver accurate information.

What Share Have Heard False or Unproven Health Claims and How Many Think They Might Be True?

Hover over each card to learn more

Measuring Exposure

KFF polls have measured exposure to a wide array of false, misleading, and unproven health claims since 2023. Exposure varies widely depending on the topic and prominence of news coverage of the claim. The most widely heard of those tested in KFF polls is that taking Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of a child developing autism, a claim cited by President Trump in a widely covered September 2025 press conference.

The Share of the Public Who Have Heard False or Unproven Health Claims Can Vary Widely Depending on the Claim or Topic

The Malleable Middle

Across an array of false or unproven health claims measured in KFF surveys, few adults are certain these claims are “definitely true” while much larger shares consistently say they are “definitely false.” For most claims, at least half express uncertainty, falling into the malleable middle and saying the claims are either “probably true” or “probably false.” The six most recent claims measured in KFF surveys in 2025 are shown below.

While Few Adults Think False or Unproven Health Claims Are Definitely True, Many Express Uncertainty

KFF polling has measured exposure to and belief in false or unproven claims across a wide array of topics. For information on belief in additional claims about COVID-19, reproductive health, and gun violence, see KFF’s Health Misinformation Tracking Poll Pilot.  For information on additional false claims related to COVID-19, see KFF’s May 2022, and October 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Monitors.

 

Belief in False or Unproven Health Claims

KFF polling has found partisanship and education play a substantial role in belief of false or unproven health claims about vaccines, COVID-19 and measles. Republicans and adults without a college degree are consistently more likely than Democrats and college educated adults, respectively, to believe or lean towards believing false claims related to COVID-19, measles, and vaccines.

Republicans and Adults Without a College Degree Are More Likely to Believe or Lean Toward Believing Many False or Unproven Health Claims

Percent who say the following false or unproven claims are definitely true or probably true:

Beyond partisanship and education, younger adults and Hispanic adults are more likely than their peers to believe or lean toward believing some of these false or unproven health claims but not others. These differences show that susceptibility to health misinformation among some groups can vary depending on the topic, which may reflect different information channels relied upon by these groups (see social media and news sources sections for more info).

Younger Adults and Hispanic Adults Are More Likely to Believe or Lean Toward Believing Some False Health Claims

Percent who say the following false or unproven claims are definitely true or probably true:

Note: Across demographics, the share who believe or lean toward believing false or unproven health claims can differ by topic. This figure shows claims from KFF's 2025 surveys where younger adults and Hispanic adults were more likely than their peers to express belief in certain claims. In other instances, similar shares across these groups express belief.

Use buttons below to see responses by different demographic groups

Appendix For False or Unproven Health Claims

KFF polling has sought to examine the public’s exposure to and belief in a wide array of false or unproven health claims. Many of the false or unproven claims measured in KFF surveys have been amplified by or directly made by government officials, while others have been more nebulously shared and spread in public media over the years. Below is a list of sources to document these claims’ inaccuracy.

Views on Vaccine Safety Among the Public

Most U.S. adults, including majorities across partisans, express confidence in the safety of many routine vaccines for children, including MMR, polio, and hepatitis B. Similarly, large majorities of adults ages 50 and over are confident that vaccines for pneumonia and shingles are safe. Views on the safety of COVID-19 and flu vaccines for both adults and children are more divided, with large shares of Democrats expressing confidence compared with smaller shares of Republicans. For more information, see KFF’s January 2026 and April 2025 Tracking Polls on Health Information and Trust.

Most of the Public Is Confident in the Safety of Many Routine Vaccinations for Children and Adults, but Views on COVID-19 Vaccines Are Much More Divided

Share who say they are very or somewhat confident that the following vaccines are safe:

Use button below to see data on different vaccines

Parents’ Vaccine Attitudes and Behavior

In summer 2025, large majorities of parents expressed confidence in the safety of childhood vaccines for polio and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), but parents’ views on the safety of flu and COVID-19 vaccines were more polarized. About two-thirds of parents say the flu vaccines are safe for children, while fewer than half say the same about COVID-19 vaccines, with divisions along partisan lines. Beyond partisanship, parents who support the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement (38% of parents), Black parents and parents under age 35 are less likely than their peers to be confident that many routine vaccines are safe for children. For more information, see the KFF/Washington Post Survey of Parents.

Majorities of Parents Are Confident in the Safety of Childhood Polio and MMR Vaccines, but Vaccines for COVID-19 and the Flu Are Divisive

Percent who say they are very or somewhat confident that vaccines for each of the following are safe for children:

Most parents report keeping their children up to date on childhood vaccines, but about one in six say they have ever skipped or delayed at least one childhood vaccine for any of their children (excluding seasonal vaccines like flu and COVID-19). Despite strong uptake, many parents express skepticism towards vaccine safety testing and the number of vaccines recommended by the CDC (this survey was fielded prior to recent changes to the childhood vaccine schedule announced by HHS in January 2026). Younger parents and those who identify as Republicans are more likely than their counterparts to endorse vaccine-skeptical attitudes and to report skipping vaccines for their own children. For more information, see the KFF/Washington Post Survey of Parents.

Many Parents Express Vaccine Hesitant Views, Including Larger Shares of Republican Parents and Younger Parents

Percent of parents who:

The KFF/Washington Post Survey of Parents tested belief in several false, misleading, or unproven claims amplified by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr related to vaccines, measles, and autism. While few parents think these claims are true, parents who have skipped or delayed at least one recommended vaccine for their children are at least three times as likely as those who have kept their children up to date to say these false or unproven claims about vaccines or measles are true.

Parents Who Have Skipped or Delayed Recommended Childhood Vaccines Are More Likely to Believe False Claims About Vaccines and Measles

Percent who say each of the following false statements are true:

Split bar chart showing percent who say specific false claims about vaccines and diseases are true. Results shown by total parents, parents by vaccine choice, party identification, and support for MAGA.

"Chronic diseases are likely rising because of an increase in the number of vaccines children get."

mRNA Vaccine Safety

COVID-19 vaccines and some other vaccines currently under development rely on a vaccine technology known as messenger-RNA (mRNA), which has long been the subject of misinformation. While few adults view mRNA technology as unsafe, the technology remains obscure to much of the public, with about half saying they don’t know enough to say. For more information, see KFF’s April 2025 Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust.

At Least Half of the Public and Partisans Don’t Know Enough About mRNA Vaccines To Say Whether They Are Safe, Though Democrats Are Less Likely To Believe They Are Unsafe

As you may know, mRNA technology is used in some vaccines, including some COVID-19 vaccines. As far as you know, are vaccines that use mRNA technology generally safe, generally unsafe, or do you not know enough to say?