Poll finds Virginians strongly support health and biomedical research

Virginians throughout the political spectrum — 84% — say investing in analysis is essential to the state’s economic system, in response to a brand new survey launched at present. Commissioned by Analysis!America in partnership with Virginia Tech, the April survey captures Virginians’ views on the financial impression of biomedical analysis and opinions on different public well being and science points.

Analysis!America President and CEO Mary Woolley will share the survey outcomes as a part of a Virginia Analysis & Innovation occasion this afternoon on the Fralin Biomedical Analysis Institute at VTC in Roanoke. The occasion will give attention to the state and nationwide impression of analysis and innovation and webcast stay at 3 p.m. 

“It’s fantastic to see the sturdy assist Virginians have for scientific analysis and innovation. Funding in analysis is significant to financial progress, public well being, and international competitiveness,” mentioned Woolley. “We’re proud to companion with Virginia Tech to raised perceive public opinion in Virginia to disclose alternatives to speed up analysis engagement, STEM schooling, and different areas to assist the commonwealth — and the nation — to prosper.”

Roughly 8 in 10 Virginians say it is essential for the commonwealth to be a pacesetter in a number of areas essential to the economic system in addition to high quality of life, comparable to schooling (82%), agriculture (79%), and medical and well being analysis (78%). Nevertheless, the notion is there’s nonetheless a major want for progress. A comparatively low 6 in 10 Virginians really feel the commonwealth is at the moment a pacesetter in those self same areas of schooling (62%), agriculture (67%), and medical and well being analysis (62%).

“The general public’s responses give a voice to sustained and enhanced assist for the analysis enterprise throughout the entire state’s universities and with trade,” mentioned Michael Friedlander, Virginia Tech’s vp for Well being Sciences and Know-how and government director of the Fralin Biomedical Analysis Institute.  “At Virginia Tech, we’re happy by the sturdy assist for analysis in a number of areas of our emphasis within the well being sciences, together with kids’s well being, psychological well being and habit, and translational analysis and commercialization to advance human and animal well being.”

Extra survey findings embody:

• 94% of Virginians imagine the U.S. ought to keep its position as a world chief in medical analysis.
• 88% say schooling and coaching in STEM is essential to Virginia’s competitiveness and financial prosperity.
• 84% assist elevated funding for childhood illness analysis.
• 75% agree Virginia taxpayer funds ought to be invested in attracting well being and medical analysis to the commonwealth by bettering analysis amenities, tools, and different assets.
• 70% say Virginia tax {dollars} ought to assist scientific analysis at public universities.
• Along with prioritizing COVID-19, Virginians establish value of healthcare, psychological well being, and substance/opioid abuse as probably the most critical well being points dealing with the nation. The bulk — 59% — additionally say funding in psychological well being analysis has not been ample.

Many further essential findings might be introduced and mentioned on the occasion. The presentation may also take a look at how Virginians’ responses evaluate with a nationwide survey carried out in January.

For 30 years, Analysis!America has commissioned surveys to assist perceive public assist for medical, well being, and scientific analysis, amongst different state, nationwide, and international points associated to public well being, analysis, and innovation.  

The web survey was carried out by Zogby Analytics on behalf of Analysis!America in March and April amongst 1,003 adults in Virginia. The survey has a theoretical sampling error of +/- 3.1 proportion factors.