Researchers at the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University have released findings from a statewide survey that measures Floridian opinion on Coronavirus and other key health policy issues. The survey addresses how Floridians feel about topics including COVID-19 misinformation, artificial intelligence, medical marijuana and the opioid crisis.
COVID-19
Misinformation about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines continues to persist after more than two years. A significant number of Floridians expressed some degree of belief in several statements classified as “False” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The list below shows the percentage of respondents who said that each statement was either “probably” or “definitely true”:
- 51% believe getting sick with COVID-19 builds better immunity than getting a vaccine
- 49% think COVID-19 vaccines contain a “live strain” of the virus
- 42% think COVID-19 vaccines are causing new variants of the virus to emerge
- 42% believe vaccines can cause you to get sick with COVID-19
- 42% think a COVID-19 vaccine will cause you to temporarily test “positive” for the virus
- 26% believe COVID-19 vaccines alter your DNA
- 24% think COVID-19 vaccines can cause infertility
- 14% believe COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips
During this recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, attitudes toward the pandemic remain starkly divided along political lines. Democratic respondents were significantly more willing to receive ongoing vaccine boosters than their Republican counterparts (84% of Democrats vs. 53% of Republicans). Conversely, Republicans reported lower levels of trust in public health guidance and were significantly more likely to express belief in the misinformation themes noted above.
Artificial intelligence
Floridians are mostly divided on the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) to American society. Although most express concerns over the risks associated with rapid AI development. While 46% of respondents believe that AI will improve American society, nearly the same portion (45%) disagree. Moreover, 75% say that they’re concerned about the risks AI poses to human security, and more than two-thirds (70%) would support a temporary “pause” on AI development in the United States.
While a plurality of Floridians say that AI will improve health care outcomes, they are more comfortable with some proposed applications of the technology than others. A plurality of respondent (50%) believe that AI will improve patient outcomes, while just under a third (32%) disagree. When considering specific potential applications of AI, respondents expressed a range of comfort levels and concerns.
The list below shows the percentage of respondents who say they are either “very” or “somewhat comfortable” with AI being used for each of the following purposes.
- To schedule patient appointments and follow-ups 84%
- To collect and enter patient intake data (such as symptoms and medical histories) 61%
- To read and interpret medical imaging (such as X-rays and radiology images) 57%
- To assist doctors in making a diagnosis 50%
- To assist doctors in conducting surgical procedures 46%
- To recommend medication and treatment plans for patients 45%
- To administer prescribed medications to patients 34%
Related: Charted: The Rapid Decline of Global Birth Rates
Medical marijuana
Floridians are generally supportive of the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana. When considering top concerns regarding medical marijuana, respondents generally disagreed that medical marijuana was being misused. The list below shows the percentage of respondents who say they “strongly” or “somewhat” agree with these statements about medical marijuana.
- Medical marijuana is being abused 45%
- Medical marijuana is too easy to obtain 39%
- There should be harsh penalties for sharing medical marijuana 40%
Opioid crisis
When it comes to the opioid crisis, Floridians had mixed opinions on harm reduction policies, expressing stronger support for syringe exchange options than Narcan administration. A majority of respondents (73%) felt that exchange programs should be available in all counties, with 68% welcoming these programs in their own communities. Regarding Narcan, a slight majority of respondents (44%) would either “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose limiting the number of times first responders use Narcan on the same person.
Floridians hold mixed opinions about when persons living with HIV (PLH) should be required to disclose their HIV status to potential sexual partners. The top circumstances in which participants felt that persons living with HIV should be required to disclose their status to potential sexual partners were either before kissing (47%) or before intercourse (40%).
Floridians supported increasing public education on HIV prevention methods. The list below shows the percentage of respondents who say they either “strongly” or “somewhat” support the following HIV prevention efforts:
- Raising awareness on condom use 95%
- Raising awareness on HIV medications 94%
- Making condoms easily accessible and free 88%
- Making HIV medications easily accessible and free 85%
The survey included a representative sample of 600 adult Floridians, fielded Aug. 10-21, 2023. Respondents are representative of the state’s population based on age, gender, race, ethnicity and political affiliation. Results are reported with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error +/- 4%.