Australia Speaks! Research Australia 2019 Opinion Poll Report

Research Australia’s 2019 opinion poll surveyed 1,008 Australians aged 18 and over through Roy Morgan’s online panel between 17 and 24 July 2019, with results weighted by age, sex and area (maximum sampling tolerance ±3.0%). It examined public understanding of the role of personal health information in research, who should guide research funding decisions, donations, self-management of health, and attitudes to vaccines and emerging technologies. While 87% agreed their own health had been improved by research, 31% did not know whether their healthcare had benefited from research using individuals’ personal health information. Only 9% were unwilling to share de-identified health information for any listed purpose, and 92% were aware of My Health Record. Asked who should guide ministers’ funding decisions, 70% gave researchers as first preference, ahead of patient and consumer groups (20%). Two thirds (66%) would be confident contributing their views, but 80% would not know who to contact. More funding for health and medical research ranked sixth of 27 government spending priorities. 42% reported donating to health and medical research in the last year, and 49% said they would be more likely to donate if government matched donations. Awareness of links between behaviours and dementia was lowest, with 18 to 34 year olds making fewer associations overall. Support for vaccination was 97%.