CDC trust splits evenly among U.S. adults, with Republicans showing increased confidence

Half of U.S. adults trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's public health recommendations, while the other half do not, according to a recent poll.

Republican voters showed the highest confidence level among measured groups, with 67% expressing trust in CDC recommendations. This represents a four percentage point increase from April 2025, when 63% of Republicans reported similar confidence.

The poll did not provide detailed breakdowns for other demographic groups, limiting analysis of how trust varies across political affiliation, age, education level, or geographic region beyond the Republican data.

Trust in the CDC has become a contested issue in American politics. The agency faced criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic from multiple directions. Some observers faulted the CDC for communication inconsistencies and evolving guidance on mask-wearing, vaccination timing, and school closures. Others criticized the agency for not moving quickly enough on certain public health measures or for not adequately accounting for economic and social costs of recommendations.

The split in confidence between Republicans and other voter groups suggests the agency navigates different expectations across the political spectrum. Republican voters' increased confidence contrasts with reporting on partisan divides over public health policy that characterized much of the pandemic period.

The poll's findings come as the CDC continues to oversee disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and vaccination programs. How public confidence in the agency affects vaccination rates, disease reporting, and public cooperation with health recommendations remains an open question for public health officials and researchers.