Climate Change Harm Perception Among U.S. Adults in the NCI Health Information National Trends Survey, 2022

Abstract

Purpose To examine associations between 1) sociodemographics and 2) trust in health information sources with climate change harm perception. Methods Weighted adjusted logistic regression models examined correlates of climate change harm perception (harm vs no harm/don’t know) among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (2022, n = 5585). Results Sixty-four percent of U.S. adults believed climate change will harm their health. College education (vs high school or less) (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3, 2.2) and having greater trust in doctors (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.7), scientists (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6, 2.0), and government health agencies (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5, 1.9) for health information were associated with believing climate change harms health. Conversely, greater trust in religious organizations was associated with 16% lower odds of believing climate change harms health (95% CI .74, .94). Conclusions Climate change harm perception varied by sociodemographics and trust in health information source. Health communication delivered via alternative and diverse channels could expand the reach of climate and health messaging and ultimately increase public awareness and support for measures to mitigate the health impacts of climate change.