Americans trust federal scientists more than RFK, Jr., poll suggests

"Around 67 percent of respondents said they were confident in scientists working at federal health agencies such as the CDC, while less than half—43 percent—said they felt confident in the heads of those same agencies."

"Poll respondents were more likely to accept the advice of the AAP about whether to vaccinate newborns against hepatitis B than that of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by a roughly 4 to 1 margin—with 42 percent who expressed trust in the AAP compared with 11 percent who said they would trust the CDC."

"More survey respondents (54 percent) said they trusted former National Institutes of Infectious Diseases chief Anthony Fauci, a frequent target of partisan vitriol, than those who said they trusted Kennedy (38 percent)."

A University of Pennsylvania poll of 1,650 U.S. adults reveals substantial trust gaps in health leadership. Approximately 67 percent of respondents expressed confidence in federal health agency scientists, compared to 43 percent who trusted agency heads. Independent organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association receive higher trust than federal agencies. Regarding hepatitis B vaccination recommendations, 42 percent trusted the AAP versus 11 percent who trusted the CDC—a 4-to-1 margin. This shift follows the Trump administration's reversal of the long-standing universal newborn hepatitis B vaccination recommendation. Former NIH infectious disease chief Anthony Fauci received 54 percent trust compared to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 38 percent.

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