According to a new poll from the independent Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, the American Heart Association is considered the most trusted source of public health information among U.S. adults, trailing only personal healthcare providers. The survey indicates that 82% of adults express confidence in the Association to provide trustworthy public health information, while 86% trust their own doctor, nurse, or primary healthcare professional. These findings, detailed in the Annenberg Public Policy Center's news release Stark Divide: Americans More Confident in Career Scientists at U.S. Health Agencies Than Leaders, underscore the public's strong trust in major professional health and science organizations.
This trust affirms the essential role these evidence-driven associations play in supporting informed health decisions, particularly in an era where trust in health information faces significant challenges. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, stated that public trust in the organization is earned through rigorous studies, transparent guidelines, and lifesaving actions. She emphasized that the trust reflected in the survey is never taken for granted and is earned daily by volunteer scientists, clinicians, leaders, professional staff, community volunteers, and donors who uphold the highest standards of evidence and integrity.
For over a century, the Association has advanced science informing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke, translating that evidence into clear, actionable guidance for the public, patients, clinicians, and policymakers. The APPC poll, conducted from February 3 to 17, 2026, among a nationally representative sample of 1,650 adults, has a margin of error of 3.5 points. The American Heart Association was not involved in the poll's design or analysis, lending further credibility to the independent findings.
The results highlight the ongoing importance of independent, science-driven organizations in navigating a complex information environment. Brown noted gratitude for collaborators who share a desire to overcome health misinformation and work to educate Americans, ultimately aiming to improve heart and brain health for all. The Association continues to provide resources and information through its official website at heart.org. This high level of public confidence positions the American Heart Association as a critical voice in public health discourse, especially as misinformation continues to challenge public understanding of medical science and health recommendations.
