Health & Medical Research Public Opinion Poll 2009

Research Australia’s 2009 Health and Medical Research Public Opinion Poll was conducted by Crosby|Textor using two focus groups in Brisbane in May 2009 and an online survey with an effective national sample of n=806 adults, fielded between 2 and 7 July 2009, with a maximum margin of error of ±3.5 percentage points. Conducted during the global financial crisis, the poll found improving hospitals and the health care system remained the highest-rated federal government priority, and 80% rated more funding for health and medical research as important. Ninety per cent agreed that medical and health research would play an important role in Australia’s future, and 78% agreed that NHMRC funding should continue to substantially increase beyond 2010, up 6 points since 2008. Fifty-one per cent reported being negatively affected by the financial crisis, and 28% had avoided or delayed visits to a GP, dentist or specialist. Respondents supported a Medicare-funded annual men’s health check-up (84%) and a tax on junk foods (64%). Concern about infectious diseases such as swine flu was low, with 8% extremely concerned and 13% very concerned. Most respondents also considered there was insufficient mental health information available to young people. Focus group participants framed health and medical research as offering an economic return as traditional industries decline.