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Trust In CDC Has Now Fallen To 47%, KFF Poll Says
The poll found trust in the CDC has declined across political parties, raising concerns about the agency's ability to coordinate public health efforts.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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A recent KFF poll found that trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has fallen to just 47% among Americans, down from 63% in 2023. The decline in trust has occurred across political parties, with only 55% of Democrats and 43% of Republicans now trusting the CDC. Trust has fallen particularly sharply among political independents, dropping from 61% in 2023 to just 46% in 2026.
Why it matters
The loss of public trust in the CDC is concerning, as the agency plays a critical role in coordinating public health efforts and providing reliable health information. Without trust in the CDC, the agency may struggle to effectively respond to infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics, potentially leading to preventable injuries, health problems, hospitalizations, and even deaths.
The details
The KFF poll found that trust in the CDC has been declining since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when surveys showed a significant drop in trust. Experts say the Biden administration failed to fully rehabilitate trust in the agency, and the situation worsened under the Trump administration, which appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2025 and fired the members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
- The KFF poll was conducted in January 2026.
- Trust in the CDC was at 63% in September 2023, 58% in March 2025, and 50% in September 2025.
- On February 13, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Trump administration.
The players
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services appointed by the Trump administration in 2025, who fired and replaced all the members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Donald Trump
The former U.S. President who appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2025.
What they’re saying
“Our public health system has squandered the trust of our citizens, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will lead our campaign of historic reforms and restore faith in American health care.”
— Donald Trump
The takeaway
The steep decline in public trust in the CDC is a significant challenge that could undermine the agency's ability to effectively coordinate public health efforts and respond to future disease outbreaks. Rebuilding trust in the CDC will be crucial to ensuring the health and safety of all Americans.
