Overall confidence in federal agencies was also lower than that for medical associations. Sixty-two percent of respondents were confident in the FDA and NIH generally, while 60 percent were confident in the CDC. In contrast, the American Heart Association earned confidence from 82 percent of respondents, while the American Academy of Pediatrics earned confidence from 77 percent, and the American Medical Association earned confidence from 73 percent.

“Trust is the foundation of effective health care and public health,” AMA CEO John Whyte said in a statement. “In a challenging information environment, patients need clear, evidence-based guidance they can rely on… The AMA is dedicated to helping patients cut through the clutter and elevate the valid over the viral. Accurate, trustworthy information saves lives.”

In a statement to Ars Technica, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, Andrew Nixon, said the decline in trust in US public health began before the current Trump administration. “Secretary Kennedy was brought in to restore credibility through transparency, gold standard science, and accountability. HHS is focused on rebuilding public confidence by ensuring that decisions are driven by rigorous evidence.”

The survey also found that trust in federal agencies—the CDC, NIH, and FDA—has declined during this administration, falling from 67 percent overall in February 2025 to 60–62 percent in February 2026.

https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/03/americans-trust-fauci-over-rfk-jr-and-career-scientists-over-trump-officials/