Widening polarization in Americans’ perception of the health harms of climate change (2014–2024)
Climate change is increasingly harming the health of people worldwide.
In the United States, Americans are experiencing many impacts, including heat stroke due to more frequent and intense heat waves; higher rates of respiratory diseases due to air pollution; and increased exposure to food-, vector-, and water-borne diseases, among many other health harms. This study examines how Americans’ understanding of the health impacts of climate change has changed using data from our Climate Change in the American Mind surveys conducted in 2014 (n=1,275), 2018 (n=1,114), and 2024 (n=1,013).
Key findings
- Americans’ awareness of climate change as a health issue has increased since 2014, including greater recognition of its impacts on respiratory health, heat stroke, pollen-related allergies, mental health conditions, and other health harms. These increases are mostly among Democrats, with significant partisan gaps across most measures.
- Trust in first responders and one’s primary care doctor as sources for information about climate change–related health problems is relatively high across the political spectrum, while trust in health institutions like the CDC, WHO, and EPA is more polarized.
- Misperceptions related to energy sources have increased, with more Americans across both parties incorrectly believing that solar and wind power harm people’s health.
Results
Compared to 2014, more Americans in 2024 recognize specific health harms linked to climate change, including heat stroke, respiratory conditions, pollen-related allergies, bodily harms from extreme weather events, and anxiety and depression.
Although Americans’ recognition of the health harms of climate change has increased overall, the results are polarized along political party lines, with most of the increased recognition occurring among Democrats. An average of 19% of Republicans say each health harm they were asked about will become “somewhat” or “much” more common in their community (+11 percentage points since 2014), compared to 57% of Democrats (+39 percentage points since 2014).
First responders and one’s primary care doctor are Americans’ most trusted sources for information about health problems related to climate change. Trust in first responders and individual health professionals is comparatively high among both Democrats and Republicans. By contrast, trust in the CDC, WHO, and EPA is more politically polarized.
Between 2018 and 2024, Democrats became more likely to recognize the health harms of coal and gas, while Republicans became less likely to recognize the health harms of coal. During this same period, both Democrats and Republicans became more likely to incorrectly believe that wind and solar power harm people’s health.
The article discusses implications of these results for communicating about the health dimensions of climate change and energy sources, particularly the need for strategies that reduce polarization while improving public understanding. Efforts to mobilize first responders and health professionals to explain the health harms of climate change, such as those by the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health , can help Americans make informed decisions to protect their health in the years to come.