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- 3 - accessHealthNews.net August 2024 Volume 10 | Issue No. 87 New Pl F inds Most Missourians View the State Positively Amidst Major Concerns Over Cost of Living and Health Care Missourians have a complex relationship with their home state, according to initial polling results released by Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). While Missourians express strong connections to their communities, economic pressures and other challenges loom large. Data was gathered as part of the Foundation's inaugural public opinion poll, Speak Up MO, aimed at understanding the views and experiences of Missourians on various health and community issues. The bipartisan research team surveyed over 1,700 adults between March 2 – 18, 2024, using telephone calls, focus groups, and an online discussion forum. Key findings include: • Positive outlook: Most residents of Missouri are likely to recommend it as a place to live. • Community pride: Overall, most respondents view their communities as "safe" and "welcoming," particularly for children. • Top concerns: Those surveyed identified the rising cost of living, health care affordability, and drug and alcohol use as top issues facing the state. On the positive side, Missourians had plenty to share about what makes this state great. In fact, most respondents answered favorably when asked how likely they were to recommend Missouri as a place to live. Descriptions such as "safe" and "welcoming" were frequently used to characterize communities, with widespread agreement that Missouri is a great place to raise children. However, the data also suggests some demographic variations: white respondents generally provided more positive evaluations of their communities, and men were more likely to hold favorable opinions than women. While respondents had much to say about what they appreciate about Missouri, the poll also underscored significant concerns. When asked to rank a series of potential problems facing the state, 71% identified the rising cost of living as an "extremely serious" or "very serious" problem. Additionally, 67% cited health care costs, and another 61% selected drug and alcohol use. The poll also revealed notable differences among demographics. Black Missourians identified crime (80%) and gun violence (83%) as major concerns. Republicans and white respondents followed the overall pattern, labeling the rising cost of living and the cost of health care as "extremely/very serious" problems. Democrats, on the other hand, prioritized gun violence (83%) and restrictions on reproductive rights (81%). Independents were most concerned with the rising cost of living (71%) and drug and alcohol use (66%). Issues such as police violence, illegal immigration, and climate change were generally viewed as "not too serious" by many Missourians, although there were stark differences by race and political affiliation. • Police violence: While 40% of all respondents viewed police violence as "not too serious," 60% of Black respondents considered it as an "extremely serious" or "very serious" problem. There was also some variance among political parties: 48% of Democrats, 35% of independents, and 15% of Republicans cited police violence as an "extremely serious" or "very serious" problem. • Climate change: Although 39% of respondents said climate change was "not too serious," 65% of Democrats labeled it as an "extremely serious" or "very serious" problem, compared to only 8% of Republicans. • Illegal immigration: Thirty-eight percent (38%) of all respondents rated illegal immigration as "not too serious" but 62% of Republicans said it was an "extremely serious" or "very serious" problem, in contrast to only 12% of Democrats. "The polling data shows that Missourians value this state and their communities, but they also have concerns about their ability to afford to live and thrive here," said Sheldon Weisgrau, MFH Vice President of Health Policy and Advocacy. "While there are differing views among different demographics, there's also strong consensus on key issues. During this election year, it's critically important for our elected officials to listen to these voices and address the most pressing issues that impact their constituents' daily lives." MFH plans to release a series of reports to dive deeper into a range of topics including physical and mental health, economic wellbeing and personal finances, and civic engagement. Read the report. To learn more about the poll, visit Speak Up MO. About Missouri Foundation for Health Missouri Foundation for Health is building a more equitable future through collaboration, convening, knowledge sharing, and strategic investment. Working in partnership with communities and nonprofits, MFH is transforming systems to eliminate inequities within all aspects of health and addressing the social and economic factors that shape health outcomes. The Foundation takes a multifaceted approach to health issues, understanding that strategic initiatives, policy, communications, and research all play a role in creating lasting impact. To learn more please visit mffh.org.

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