Trust is an important component of public health. Which sources an individual trusts for health information can have implications for their own health care decision-making, their willingness to adopt recommended health behaviors, and their support for policies aimed at protecting and improving public health. Drawing on a series of nationally representative surveys conducted using probability-based sampling methods, this presentation will analyze changes in the U.S. public’s level of trust in information from government health agencies, individual physicians, and other entities since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While trust in government health agencies was high in early 2020, it began to erode later that year and has continued to trend downward since. Some demographic groups have historically expressed less trust than others in government agencies, but political partisanship emerged during the pandemic as one of the strongest correlates of trust in health information, and partisan divisions in trust have continued to widen in the ensuing years. Our analysis also finds that trust is correlated with the tendency to endorse false and misleading claims about health topics, as well as with self-reported behaviors such as vaccination. As public health professionals look toward the future, understanding the trends and dynamics of public trust in health information over the past 5 years can help inform future communications efforts, particularly when it comes to emerging health threats like measles and avian flu.

Patient trust in healthcare providers is vital for adherence to medical advice and health behaviors. Higher trust levels correlate with better adherence to treatment, patient satisfaction, and overall health outcomes. This relationship is crucial for cancer screenings, where early and regular screenings can significantly impact survival rates.

Data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) shows many states are below the Health People 2030 cancer screening rate goals, with rates generally level over the past decade and declining during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals with health insurance, those with a usual place of care, and those who have visited their doctor more recently are more likely to have been screened for cancer within the recommended guidelines. These relationships are expected considering the role health care providers play in educating and advising patients on cancer screenings. Yet health care providers can only educate and advise if an individual goes to the doctor. Moreover, individual’s cancer screening decisions may be influenced by their trust in the information and advice they receive.

This study examines trust in doctors as a factor influencing cancer screenings, directly and indirectly mediated by doctor visits. Using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), preliminary analysis indicates high overall trust in doctors. Mediation analysis suggests trust in doctors is not directly associated with screenings but indirectly influences some screenings by increasing the likelihood of having a regular doctor. Implications within the current public health environment will be discussed.

The importance of community engagement in medical research is widely recognized. Historically, marginalized populations have experienced exploitation and substandard care, leading to a heightened distrust of clinical trials and the healthcare system. Engaging with affected communities has helped medical researchers promote medicinal awareness and understanding, fostering increased trust and participation among these disproportionately impacted groups.

Like the medical research field, public health studies frequently experience lower participation rates among traditionally underrepresented populations. This reduced representation ultimately results in less accurate estimates of community health needs. The current study examined whether a community engagement approach could increase survey participation through direct outreach to community leaders.

The Colorado Health Study (CHS) is an ongoing public health surveillance survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). It provides detailed information about individual, community and social environment factors related to risk and protective factors that affect the health of Coloradans. Recruiters visited identified community leaders to discuss the survey and provide informational brochures for distribution that explained the purpose of the study. Qualitative feedback was also collected with a focus on perceptions of public health surveillance, barriers to participation and opportunities for improved engagement.

The goal of the community outreach was to increase trust among the sampled communities resulting in increased research participation. We evaluated response and engagement to determine the effectiveness of this outreach effort, as well as analyzed themes from the qualitative feedback received. Implications for future research initiatives will be discussed.