By IVEY DeJESUS

pennlive.com

(TNS) — A new survey finds that a growing number of Pennsylvania residents think there is a link between childhood immunizations and autism.

The Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion survey found that just under 1 in 3 adults in Pennsylvania (31%) agree that the chances of a child getting autism are increased if they receive the recommended childhood immunizations.

The overwhelming scientific data shows that there is no link between vaccines and autism.

The report examines opinions on a variety of Pennsylvania health issues, including the perceived quality of healthcare, safety of immunizations, levels of stress related to politics and current events, and marijuana legalization.

The survey found that fewer than 4 in 10 Pennsylvania residents trust that Robert F.

Kennedy Jr. can handle health care issues as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The survey was conducted in conjunction with the Muhlenberg College Public Health program and led by Christopher Borick, director of the college’s Institute of Public Opinion.

The survey found that the majority of Pennsylvanians regard the quality of healthcare in the commonwealth as “excellent” or “good,” however, that number has decreased significantly in the past year.

The results show that 51% of those surveyed rate the quality of healthcare favorably, compared to 70% in 2024. The 51% positive rating level is the lowest combined total since the college began asking the question in 2019.

The results of the survey align with the downward trajectory of vaccination rates among Pennsylvania kindergartners last year, even as measles vaccinations dipped well below the level doctors say is needed to prevent outbreaks. Those findings were based on data released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in January.

Rates for all vaccinations required to attend public schools have fallen steadily in Pennsylvania since 2018-19.

The results also reflect some of the broad pushback that Kennedy Jr. has faced since being installed as health secretary, stemming from his anti-vaccine views and opinion that autism is related to vaccines. In recent days, he has faced widespread backlash over offensive and belittling remarks he made about the abilities of autistic people.

The health secretary announced the launch of a disease registry to track Americans with autism.

The move has raised widespread concerns about the scrutiny of data and the health agenda.

Other key findings offered a glimpse into public opinion on the political landscape.

The survey found that the impact of politics and current events on residents varies considerably across partisan divides: 15% of Republicans reported that politics and current events are a “major source” of stress; compared to 52% of Democrats and 26% of independents.

Findings also include:

■ The survey found the lowest percentage of Commonwealth residents opposing legalization of marijuana since the question was first asked in 2013, with only about 1 in 5 adult Pennsylvanians (21%) currently opposing the legalization of marijuana in the state.

■ Pennsylvanians were less likely to report improved mental health in 2025 than they were in 2024. In this year’s findings, 30% of state residents indicated their mental is “much better” or “somewhat better” than about a year ago, compared with 40% of state residents who reported improved mental health in 2024.