Results of a recent survey examined the thoughts of Americans concerning the potential impact infectious and emerging diseases facing other countries will have in the United States.
The effort, commissioned by Research!America and the American Society for Microbiology, showed 95 percent of Americans believe diseases facing other countries will pose a significant or minor threat here. However, 61 percent are optimistic the government can quell an outbreak.
“The findings indicate that many Americans are unaware of the cutting-edge research and public health strategies to protect citizens against deadly epidemics like Ebola,” Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America, said. “With the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is essential for all stakeholders, from government to industry, to educate the public about efforts to prevent and contain threats to the health, safety and economic security of Americans and individuals worldwide.”
Survey numbers determined about a third of survey respondents agreed the global community would experience an epidemic in the next 10 years including cases in America, but few agree the global population is prepared to respond to another outbreak like Ebola.
Just over two-thirds of those surveyed are confident the current system ensures an adequate supply of necessary vaccines to prevent shortages, officials said, which is down 11 percent from 2008. Fifty-nine percent of Americans firmly believe they have benefited from the development of vaccines over the last 50 years, a 16 percent decrease from 2008.