Research Australia Opinion Polling 2018

Research Australia’s 2018 opinion poll continued the annual series begun in 2003, tracking public attitudes to health and medical research. Roy Morgan Research conducted an online survey of 1,016 Australians aged 18 and over, drawn from its proprietary online panel between 15 and 20 June 2018 and weighted by age, sex and area (response rate 9.2%; maximum sampling tolerance ±3.0%). More funding for health and medical research ranked sixth among priorities for Australian Government spending, and 89% of respondents reported interest in health and medical research. On research funding decisions, 78% nominated researchers as the first choice to guide ministers; 65% would be confident contributing their opinions, but only 22% believed they would be listened to and 17% would know whom to contact. Half strongly supported the Medical Research Future Fund and a further 38% were somewhat supportive. On precision medicine, 75% would use genetic testing to identify the most effective drug, and 95% of these would allow their results to inform future treatment. Some 91% saw a role for technology in managing their own health, 63% had heard of My Health Record, and 44% strongly and 46% somewhat supported research use of de-identified records. The poll also examined donations, government matching of donations, and a tax on sugary drinks.