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Social Issues

Healthcare Access, Cost Are Top Health Concerns

Majority mention either access to or cost of healthcare as most urgent health problem

December 1, 2008

A majority of Americans cite either access to healthcare (30%) or the cost of care (25%) as the most urgent health problem facing the country. This marks the sixth successive year that these two concerns have outweighed concerns about a specific medical disease or condition such as cancer, obesity, or AIDS.More ...

Americans’ Weight Issues Not Going Away

Six in 10 want to lose weight, but only 30% are seriously trying to do so

November 26, 2008

Going by the self-reported weight status of U.S. adults, a new Gallup Poll finds men and women weighing more, on average, than they did earlier this decade, and a record-high 38% of women saying they are seriously trying to lose weight.More ...

Americans Hold Firm to Support for Death Penalty

Only 21% say it is applied too often

November 17, 2008

While the state of Maryland is embroiled in a debate over repealing its death penalty statute, Americans as a whole support the death penalty for someone convicted of murder, at the rate of 64%. Only 30% oppose it, and even fewer -- 21% -- say it’s imposed “too often.”More ...

Telecommuting Still a Rare Perk

No increase since 2006 in percentage punching in from home

August 15, 2008

The vast majority of U.S. workers have not been offered the opportunity to telecommute from home (85%) one or more days per week, or switch to a four-day workweek (81%) to help offset their commuting costs because of the high price of gas.More ...

By Age 24, Marriage Wins Out

At age 24, 30% are married while 20% are living together with someone

August 11, 2008

Cohabitation is more common than marriage among 18- to 20-year-olds in the United States, but the two lifestyles are about even among 21- to 23-year-olds, and by age 24, marriage wins out. Americans have mixed views about the effects of living together on divorce and children.More ...

Sports Fans Not Suspicious of Steroid Use for Record Breakers

Only 35% suspicious when track records are broken; 22% when swimming records are

August 8, 2008

Relatively few sports fans say they are suspicious about possible use of performance-enhancing drugs when they see or hear about Olympic athletes breaking world records in track and field (35%) and swimming (22%).More ...

Majority of Americans Say Racism Against Blacks Widespread

More than three-quarters of blacks say racism against blacks is widespread

August 4, 2008

A majority of Americans, including a majority of whites, Hispanics, and -- in particular -- blacks, say racism against blacks is widespread in the United States. At the same time, a substantial minority of Americans say racism against whites is widespread.More ...

Beer Back to Double-Digit Lead Over Wine as Favored Drink

Shift back to beer most evident among 30- to 49-year-olds

July 25, 2008

Gallup finds 42% of U.S. drinkers naming beer as the alcoholic beverage they consume most often, compared with 31% who drink wine and 23% who drink liquor the most. After beer and wine essentially tied in 2005, beer has regained its standing as the No. 1 drink in the United States.More ...

Whites May Exaggerate Black-Hispanic Tensions

Most blacks and Hispanics say relations between the two groups are good

July 17, 2008

Only 43% of white adults in the United States -- contrasted with 60% of Hispanics and 67% of blacks -- believe good relations exist between blacks and Hispanics.More ...

Wide Gulf in Personal vs. National Satisfaction

Only 15% satisfied with national conditions, 86% with personal lives

July 14, 2008

At a time when only 15% of Americans say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the country, 86% are satisfied with their personal lives. However, personal satisfaction is down significantly from last year, primarily among whites and Hispanics.More ...

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Social Issues

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Social Issues

Healthcare Access, Cost Are Top Health Concerns

Majority mention either access to or cost of healthcare as most urgent health problem

Americans’ Weight Issues Not Going Away

Six in 10 want to lose weight, but only 30% are seriously trying to do so

Americans Hold Firm to Support for Death Penalty

Only 21% say it is applied too often

Telecommuting Still a Rare Perk

No increase since 2006 in percentage punching in from home

By Age 24, Marriage Wins Out

At age 24, 30% are married while 20% are living together with someone

Sports Fans Not Suspicious of Steroid Use for Record Breakers

Only 35% suspicious when track records are broken; 22% when swimming records are

Majority of Americans Say Racism Against Blacks Widespread

More than three-quarters of blacks say racism against blacks is widespread

Beer Back to Double-Digit Lead Over Wine as Favored Drink

Shift back to beer most evident among 30- to 49-year-olds

Whites May Exaggerate Black-Hispanic Tensions

Most blacks and Hispanics say relations between the two groups are good

Wide Gulf in Personal vs. National Satisfaction

Only 15% satisfied with national conditions, 86% with personal lives

Topic Search

More Americans Say U.S. a Nation of Haves and Have-Nots

Fewer Americans Favor Cutting Back Immigration

Americans in Agreement With Supreme Court on Gun Rights

Americans Evenly Divided on Morality of Homosexuality

Republicans Sour on Nation’s Moral Climate

Africans Support Advancement for Women

India's Lower Class Struggles for Equality

Common Ground for Europeans and Muslims Among Them

Religious Americans, European Muslims: Common Ground

Moral Issues Divide Westerners From Muslims in the West