Spring 2022 – Public Health Survey

Muhlenberg College Public Health Program – 2022 Pennsylvania Health Poll

The following report provides findings from the annual Muhlenberg College Public Health Program Poll of Pennsylvanians on public health issues. This year’s survey examined topics that included the COVID-19 outbreak and the performance of President Biden and Governor Wolf’s handling of the pandemic, heroin addiction, immunizations and marijuana legalization. The survey marks the 10th year of this initiative that is a partnership between the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion and the Muhlenberg College Public Health Program.

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PDF: Spring 2022 – Muhlenberg College Public Health Program | Pennsylvania Health Poll

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Key Findings

• After two full years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvanians are increasingly optimistic that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. Currently, 76% of Commonwealth residents agree that COVID’s worst impacts are in the past, marking a 19-point increase from November when 57% of Pennsylvanians maintained this opinion.

 

• A vast majority (84%) of Pennsylvanians support moving the state away from COVID-19 limits, but among this cohort, there are divisions on the details. Just under half of state residents (47%) support opening up but keeping some precautions. About a third (37%) of Pennsylvanians prefer that the state open up with no COVID-19 mandates or requirements.
• Pennsylvanians remain highly divided on President Biden’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 43% approving and 48% disapproving of the 46^th President’s performance on this matter. These marks are similar to those from last fall, and significantly more negative than a year ago when 55% approved, and only 25% disapproved of Biden’s work on the pandemic.

 

• Governor Wolf’s COVID-19 efforts continue to draw mixed reviews from Pennsylvanians, with 42% of state residents approving, and 46% disapproving of the job he has done on the pandemic.
• About 6 in 10 Commonwealth residents reported they are likely to get an annual COVID-19 booster if one becomes available, with 43% “very likely” and 17% “somewhat likely” to receive this immunization.

 

• Keystone States resident views on the quality of health care in the state have declined from pre-pandemic levels, with the percentage of Pennsylvanians rating health care in the state as excellent or good falling from 67% to 55% between 2019 and 2022.
• As discussions on the legalization of marijuana for recreational use continue in Pennsylvania, opposition to this possibility continues a long-term decline. Only 1 in 4 adult Pennsylvanians now oppose legalization in the state, with a solid majority (56%) supporting a change to the existing law.

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Methodological Statement
The following report contains the results of a telephone survey of 423 adults in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania between February 15 and March 8, 2022.  Respondents were interviewed in English on both landlines (94) and cell phones (329). With a randomly selected sample of respondents, the margin of error for the surveys is +/- 5.5% at a 95% level of confidence. Margins of error for questions with smaller sample size will be larger. In addition to sampling error, one should consider that question wording and other fielding issues could introduce error or bias into survey results. The sample data has been weighted by gender, race, age, income, and educational attainment to reflect those Pennsylvania population characteristics as reported by the United States Census Bureau in 2022. The calculation of sampling error considers design effects due to the weighting identified above. In order to reach a representative sample of adult Pennsylvanians, both landlines and cell phones are called up to 5 times. The response rate for this survey as calculated using the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) RRII formula is approximately 5%. Due to rounding the totals provided in the frequency report may not total 100%. The survey instrument (as seen in its entirety below) was designed by Dr. Christopher P. Borick, Director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion and Professor in the Muhlenberg College Public Health Program. The survey was funded exclusively by Muhlenberg College. For more detailed information on the methods employed please contact the MCIPO at 484-664-3444 or email Dr. Borick at cborick@muhlenberg.edu.

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INSTRUMENT AND FREQUENCY REPORT

SCREENER: Thank you. Just to confirm are you a resident of Pennsylvania who is age 18 or older?

• Yes…………..…..CONTINUE
• No………………THANK AND DISCONTINUE
• Not Sure….……. THANK AND DISCONTINUE

(HEALTH INSURANCE/GENERAL HEALTH CARE)

Q1: In general, would you describe the quality of health care in Pennsylvania as excellent, good, fair or poor?

• Excellent………..13%
• Good……..……..42%
• Fair……………..30%
• Poor…………….12%
• Not Sure (VOL)…3%

	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Excellent	20%	17%	14%	13%
Good	47%	42%	48%	42%
Fair	25%	24%	23%	30%
Poor	5%	16%	12%	12%
Not Sure	3%	<1%	4%	3%

Q2: Do you think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have health care coverage, or is that not the responsibility of the federal government?

• Is a federal responsibility…………….59%
• Is not a federal responsibility……….36%
• Not Sure (VOL)……………………… 5%

	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Is a federal responsibility	54%	59%	61%	59%
Is not a federal responsibility	38%	33%	31%	36%
Not Sure	9%	9%	8%	5%

(MARIJUANA AND OPIOIDS)

Q3: Next, I would like to ask you a question about marijuana. First, do you favor, oppose or neither favor nor oppose the complete legalization of the use of marijuana for any purpose?

• Favor………………………56%
• Oppose…………………….25%
• Neither Favor nor Oppose…18%
• Not Sure (VOL)…………. 1%

	Spring 2013	Spring 2014	Spring 2016	Spring 2017	Spring 2018	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Favor	33%	38%	39%	45%	49%	51%	56%	58%	56%
Oppose	40%	35%	38%	29%	30%	28%	26%	26%	25%
Neither Favor or Oppose	24%	22%	20%	23%	19%	18%	12%	14%	18%
Not Sure	3%	4%	3%	3%	3%	3%	6%	3%	1%

Q4: How serious of a problem do you think heroin abuse in America is?  (READ LIST) 

• Very Serious………….…82%
• Somewhat Serious………14%
• Not at all Serious…….….  3%
• Not sure (VOL)………….2%

	Spring 2016	Spring 2017	Spring 2018	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Very Serious	75%	87%	84%	81%	82%	81%	82%
Somewhat Serious	17%	10%	14%	17%	13%	16%	14%
Not at All Serious	2%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	3%
Not Sure	7%	2%	2%	1%	4%	2%	2%

Q5: Do you personally know anyone who has been addicted to heroin or another opiate?

• Yes……………….. 60%
• No………………… 40%
• Not Sure………….<1%

	Spring 2016	Spring 2017	Spring 2018	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Yes	52%	58%	55%	64%	63%	59%	60%
No	44%	40%	45%	34%	37%	41%	40%
Not Sure	4%	2%	1%	2%	<1%	<1%	<1%

(COVID-19)

Q6: Next I have a few questions about the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak. How concerned are you, if at all, about the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak? (READ LIST)

• Extremely Concerned…..13%
• Very Concerned…………24%
• Somewhat Concerned…..35%
• Not Concerned at All……27%

	Spring 2021	Fall 2021	Spring 2022
Extremely Concerned	26%	15%	13%
Very Concerned	31%	26%	24%
Somewhat Concerned	28%	34%	35%
Not Concerned at All	15%	26%	27%
Not Sure (VOL)	<1%	<1%	0%

Q7: Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Joe Biden is handling the response to the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak?

• Approve………………..43%
• Disapprove…………….48%
• Not Sure……………… 9%

	Spring 2021	Fall 2021	Spring 2022
Approve	55%	40%	43%
Disapprove	28%	45%	48%
Not Sure (VOL)	19%	15%	9%

Q8: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Tom Wolf is handling the response to the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak?

• Approve………………..42%
• Disapprove…………….46%
• Not Sure………………13%

	Spring 2021	Fall 2021	Spring 2022
Approve	40%	35%	42%
Disapprove	41%	44%	46%
Not Sure (VOL)	19%	21%	13%

Q9: Have you received at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine shot at this time?

• Yes …………………….78%
• No………………………21%
• Not Sure……………….1%

	Spring 2021	Fall 2021	Spring 2022
Yes	36%	74%	78%
No	64%	26%	21%
Not Sure (VOL)	1%	0%	1%

Q10: If an annual COVID-19 booster shot becomes available, how likely are you to receive one? (READ LIST)

• Very Likely……………43%
• Somewhat Likely………17%
• Somewhat Unlikely…… 7%
• Very Unlikely………….29%
• Not Sure……………….. 3%

Q11: Which of the following is closest to your opinion of how the United States should handle the COVID-19 pandemic at this time?  (READ LIST)

• We should open up and get back to life as usual with no COVID-19 mandates or requirements…………………………………………………………………………..37%
• We should move to opening up, but still take some precautions……………………..47%
• We should mostly keep COVID-19 precautions and requirements in place……….…11%
• We should increase mask mandates and COVID-19 vaccine requirements……………5%
• Not Sure…………………………………………………………………………………1%

(MENTAL HEALTH)

Q12: How would you describe your own mental health or emotional well-being at this time? Would you say it is — excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

• Excellent……………35%
• Good………………..44%
• Only Fair……………17%
• Poor………………… 4%
• Not Sure…………….<1%

	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Excellent	33%	35%
Good	45%	44%
Only Fair	19%	17%
Poor	3%	4%
Not Sure	1%	<1%

Q13: Compared to 12 months ago, would you say your mental health or emotional well-being is much better, somewhat better, somewhat worse, much worse or about the same as a year ago?

• Much Better………………………….12%
• Somewhat Better…………………….19%
• Somewhat Worse……………………  9%
• Much Worse…………………………. 3%
• About the Same as a Year Ago………56%

	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Much Better	9%	12%
Somewhat Better	17%	19%
Somewhat Worse	18%	9%
Much Worse	4%	3%
About the Same as a Year Ago	53%	56%
Not Sure	<1%	0%

Q14: During the past two months, have you had any problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of any emotional problems, such as feeling depressed or anxious?

• Yes………………19%
• No……………….81%
• Not Sure…………<1%

	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Excellent	17%	19%
Good	82%	81%
Not Sure	1%	<1%

PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES

Q15: Please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statements.  First, the chances of a child getting autism are increased if they receive the recommended childhood immunizations.

• Strongly Agree………..…7%
• Somewhat Agree……….   8%
• Somewhat Disagree……. 26%
• Strongly Disagree……… 41%
• Not Sure (Vol)…………18%

	Spring 2013	Spring 2014	Spring 2015	Spring 2016	Spring 2017	Spring 2018	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Strongly Agree	5%	8%	7%	6%	4%	8%	9%	8%	5%	7%
Somewhat Agree	13%	13%	10%	13%	13%	13%	9%	8%	6%	8%
Somewhat Disagree	22%	21%	22%	16%	14%	14%	16%	13%	12%	26%
Strongly Disagree	35%	39%	48%	51%	48%	49%	55%	57%	52%	41%
Not Sure	26%	19%	12%	14%	21%	16%	11%	15%	25%	18%

Q16: Immunizations pose little health risks to those that receive them.

• Strongly Agree………..…41%
• Somewhat Agree……….  34%
• Somewhat Disagree……. 12%
• Strongly Disagree……… 10%
• Not Sure (Vol)…………. 4%

	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Strongly Agree	54%	49%	41%	41%
Somewhat Agree	23%	25%	30%	34%
Somewhat Disagree	9%	8%	9%	12%
Strongly Disagree	9%	8%	3%	10%
Not Sure	4%	10%	17%	4%

Q17: The worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us.

• Strongly Agree………..…36%
• Somewhat Agree……….  40%
• Somewhat Disagree…….  13%
• Strongly Disagree……….   6%
• Not Sure (Vol)………….  6%

	Spring 2021	Fall 2021	Spring 2022
Strongly Agree	14%	16%	36%
Somewhat Agree	46%	41%	40%
Somewhat Disagree	16%	19%	13%
Strongly Disagree	9%	10%	6%
Not Sure (VOL)	16%	13%	6%

Q18: Adults who have not received a COVID-19 vaccination have put others at risk and have prolonged the length of the pandemic.

• Strongly Agree………..…34%
• Somewhat Agree……….  18%
• Somewhat Disagree…….  11%
• Strongly Disagree………. 36%
• Not Sure (Vol)…………. 2%

(THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH)

Q19: Next I’m going to read you a list of factors that may or may not affect the health of the public in Pennsylvania.  For each factor that I note please indicate if you think that factor poses a major risk, minor risk or no risk to public health in Pennsylvania.  First, (ROTATE QUESTIONS)

Obesity

• Major Risk………………62%
• Minor Risk………………32%
• No Risk………………….. 5%
• Not sure………………….1%

Q20: Next, fracking for natural gas and oil.

• Major Risk………………27%
• Minor Risk………………40%
• No Risk…………………..21%
• Not sure…………………13%

	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Major Risk	38%	36%	27%	27%
Minor Risk	39%	31%	32%	40%
No Risk	3%	9%	16%	21%
Not Sure	11%	24%	25%	13%

Q21: Climate change

• Major Risk………………47%
• Minor Risk………………28%
• No Risk…………………..23%
• Not sure………………….3%

	Spring 2019	Spring 2020	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Major Risk	51%	51%	48%	47%
Minor Risk	26%	28%	24%	28%
No Risk	20%	14%	20%	23%
Not Sure	4%	8%	9%	3%

Q22: Contaminated drinking water

• Major Risk………………59%
• Minor Risk………………31%
• No Risk………………….. 7%
• Not sure………………….3%

	Spring 2021	Spring 2022
Major Risk	53%	59%
Minor Risk	37%	31%
No Risk	6%	7%
Not Sure	4%	3%

(DEMOGRAPHICS)

Q23: Finally, I have a few questions about yourself. First, what is your current marital status?

Single	35%
Married	46%
Separated	1%
Divorced	8%
Widowed	5%
Partnered	5%
Not sure	1%

Q24: What is your highest level of education? Is it (READ LIST)?

Less Than High School	4%
High School Graduate	30%
Some College Or Technical School	29%
College Graduate (4 Yr Only)	24%
Graduate Or Professional Degree	12%

Q25: Which of the following categories best describes your racial identity? (READ LIST)

White/Caucasian	74%
African-American	12%
Hispanic	6%
Latino	2%
Asian	2%
Native American	1%
Mixed Race	3%
Or Other	1%

Q26: Which of the following categories best describes your current voting status? Are you registered as a (READ LIST)?

Democrat	40%
Republican	35%
Independent	13%
Other Party	4%
Or Not Registered To Vote In Pennsylvania	5%
Not Sure	3%

Q27: Which of the following categories best describes your religious affiliation? Are you (READ LIST)?

Catholic	25%
Protestant	32%
Jewish	2%
Muslim	1%
Hindu	1%
Other Religion (Including Agnostic)	31%
Atheist	6%
Not Sure	2%

Q28: Do you have children under the age of 18?

Has Children Under 18	25%
No Children Under 18	75%

Q29: Which of the following best describes your health care insurance status.  Are you primarily insured:

By A Plan Provided By Your Employer	48%
By A Plan That You Purchase Individually	7%
By Medicaid Coverage	8%
By Medicare Coverage	25%
Uninsured	5%
Other	7%
Not Sure	1%

Q30: In which of the following age categories does your current age fall.  READ LIST

18-29	22%
30-49	30%
50-65	27%
Over 65	22%

Q31: Which of the following categories best describes your family income? (READ LIST)

Under $20,000	13%
$20,000-$40,000	18%
$40,000-$60,000	19%
$60,000-$80,000	15%
$80,000-$100,000	11%
Over $100,000	20%
Not Sure	5%

Q32: Finally, to which gender identity do you most identify? (READ LIST)

Male	49%
Female	51%
Transgender Male	1%
Transgender Female	<1%
Or you do not identify as male, female or transgender	0%