A new round of KFF polling reveals deep divisions in where Americans seek health information and how much they trust those sources. Doctors and other health professionals remain the most trusted providers of reliable health information, but confidence in government agencies like the CDC and FDA has fallen sharply since 2020. These shifts reflect broader partisan splits over science and public health priorities.
More than 70% of adults say they trust their doctor at least “a fair amount” for health information, making individual providers the top source across all groups. In contrast, only half of all adults express confidence in the CDC and FDA, and fewer than half trust their state government officials, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., or former President Trump. The partisan gap is most pronounced regarding Kennedy and Trump—six in ten Republicans, including seven in ten MAGA-aligned Republicans, say they trust these figures for health information, while three in ten or fewer independents and Democrats share that view.
Democrats show greater trust in state officials than Republicans do, though both parties exhibit similar levels of confidence in the CDC and FDA. The polling highlights how political affiliation now determines trust in health information sources, especially when it comes to vaccine guidance. While doctors maintain universal trust, declining confidence in government agencies mirrors broader skepticism about institutional independence. Less than half of the public and partisans express at least “some confidence” in the CDC, FDA, or EPA to act independently without outside interference. Democrats are somewhat more likely to say they have confidence in the CDC to act independently, with almost half expressing confidence.
This erosion of trust is not recent. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC enjoyed bipartisan trust for virus-related information, but that confidence collapsed as partisan divisions deepened. By 2026, only half of the public now trusts the CDC for vaccine information—a decline that accelerated after Trump’s reelection and Kennedy’s confirmation as HHS Secretary. For parents of children under 18, pediatricians remain the most trusted source for vaccine advice.
Smaller shares, but still majorities, also trust their local public health department, the CDC, and the FDA. Over half of parents trust their friends and family for vaccine information, while far fewer express trust in Robert F. Kennedy Jr., pharmaceutical companies, or health and wellness influencers. As with the public overall, partisanship plays a role in who parents trust for vaccine information.
Social media and AI replace fading trust
Social media and AI have become key alternatives as trust in traditional sources weakens. About one-third of adults who use social media for health information say a “major reason” they turned to social media for health advice was because they wanted to learn from people with similar experiences or because they wanted immediate information or support. About one in six users cite difficulty accessing or affording health care as a major reason.
These reasons are more commonly cited among lower income social media and AI users. About one-third of adults say they use social media to find health information and advice “at least monthly,” including larger shares of younger adults, Black and Hispanic adults, lower income adults, and those with lower educational attainment.
The data also shows how misinformation persists despite widespread exposure. Half of the public remains uncertain about false health claims—such as the link between Tylenol and autism or myths about vaccine safety. Partisanship and education shape these beliefs: Republicans and adults without a college degree are more likely to endorse vaccine-related myths, while Black adults and those aged 30–49 are more susceptible to certain false claims. Those who frequently use social media or AI for health information are also more likely to believe unproven claims, suggesting these platforms may amplify skepticism.
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Parental vaccine hesitancy fuels misinformation spread
One key finding shows that parents who skip or delay vaccines for their children are twice as likely to believe false claims about measles and COVID-19 vaccines. About one in six parents admit to skipping at least one recommended vaccine, with younger parents and Republicans leading that trend. Yet majorities still trust routine vaccines like MMR, polio, and hepatitis B for children, while confidence in flu and COVID-19 vaccines remains sharply divided along partisan lines.
The reliance on social media and AI extends beyond passive consumption, with about one in three adults reporting they actively use AI chatbots for health advice in the past year. Younger adults, Black and Hispanic adults, and those with lower household incomes are particularly likely to turn to these tools for quick symptom checks or private health concerns. For example, three in ten adults have used AI for physical health information, while one in six have sought mental health advice from these platforms. The most common reasons include wanting immediate support, looking up information before a doctor’s visit, or addressing concerns privately—especially among those facing barriers to traditional health care.
Among AI users for health information, most say they trust the advice they receive, though fewer than half of all adults extend that trust to AI tools overall. The discrepancy highlights a growing dependence on technology to fill gaps in the health information system, even as skepticism about reliability persists. Social media plays a similar role, with about three in ten adults using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Reddit for health advice at least monthly.
Younger users, Black adults, and lower-income individuals are especially likely to turn to social media for health information, often citing a desire to connect with others who share similar experiences or to access immediate support. However, fewer than half of social media users find the health content they encounter trustworthy, with younger users more likely than older ones to view health information on platforms like TikTok or YouTube as credible.
Influencers and uncertainty in vaccine debates
Health influencers also shape public perceptions, though their reach is limited compared to doctors or government agencies. Only 15% of adults say they turn to influencers for health advice, but younger adults, Black adults, and frequent social media users are more likely to do so.
At least half of the public falls into a “malleable middle,” expressing uncertainty about these claims. Black adults and those aged 30–49 are also more susceptible to certain false claims, suggesting that different demographic groups may rely on distinct information channels that amplify skepticism.
Despite the spread of misinformation, majorities still trust routine childhood vaccines like those for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, pneumonia, and shingles in older adults. About two-thirds of parents say flu vaccines are safe for children, while fewer than half express the same confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.
Younger parents, Republicans, and those aligned with the MAHA movement are less likely to trust vaccine safety. Still, most parents keep their children up to date on recommended vaccines, though one in six admit to skipping or delaying at least one dose.
