Muhlenberg College Public Health Program - 2024 Pennsylvania Health Survey

The following report examines opinions regarding public health issues in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2024. The report provides an overview of key findings from the 2024 Pennsylvania Health Survey. The survey was conducted in the Spring of 2024 by the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) in conjunction with the Muhlenberg College Public Health Program.


 PDF: Muhlenberg College Public Health Program - 2024 Pennsylvania Health Survey


KEY FINDINGS

  • Seven out of ten Pennsylvanians provide positive ratings to the quality of health care in the state, the highest marks since the question was first asked in 2019.
  • Support for the legalization of marijuana in Pennsylvania remains unchanged from 2023, with about half (49%) of adults in the state supporting this option, and about three in ten (30%) opposing such a change.
  • For the fourth year in a row there was an increase in the percentage of Commonwealth residents reporting their mental health was better than a year ago, with four in ten reporting a positive change, about one in ten indicating a negative change, and about half reporting no difference over the last year.
  • Over half (54%) of Pennsylvanians indicate that opioid abuse is a major or minor problem in the community that they live in.

Chart: Over half (54%) of Pennsylvanians indicate that opioid abuse is a major or minor problem in the community that they live in.

  • Over four out of ten (43%) Keystone State residents report that politics and current events are a major source of stress in their lives, with this factor outpacing personal finances (22%), work (22%), and relationships with family and friends (9%) and a cause of stress.

The chart shows over four out of ten (43%) Keystone State residents report that politics and current events are a major source of stress in their lives, with this factor outpacing personal finances (22%), work (22%), and relationships with family and friends (9%) and a cause of stress

  • About one in five (22%) Commonwealth adults report always or often feeling anxious in the last twelve months.
  • Over two out of three (67%) adult Pennsylvanians agree that E-cigarettes and vaping pose significant health risks.
  • A majority of Pennsylvanians believe the state needs stronger restrictions on access to firearms with about six in ten (59%) agreeing that such restrictions are needed, and four in ten (41%) disagreeing with the need for such measures.

A majority of Pennsylvanians believe the state needs stronger restrictions on access to firearms with about six in ten (59%) agreeing that such restrictions are needed,

  • Most (59%) Commonwealth residents disagree that the state should make access to abortions more limited, with a substantial minority (41%) agreeing that added restrictions should be put in place.

Most (59%) Pennsylvania residents disagree that the state should make access to abortions more limited.

  • Over four in ten (41%) of adult residents of Pennsylvania believe that domestic violence in the state is a crisis.

METHODOLOGY

This report provides results of a telephone survey of 415 adult residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Interviews were conducted between February 12 and March 5, 2024. Respondents were interviewed in English on both landlines (n=83) and cell phones (n=332). With a randomly selected sample of respondents, the margin of error for the survey is +/-6% at a 95% level of confidence. Margins of error for questions with smaller sample size will be larger. In addition to sampling error, one should consider that question wording and other fielding issues can introduce error or bias into survey results. The data has been weighted to gender, age, race, and educational attainment to 2024 population parameters for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided by the United States Census Bureau. The calculation of sampling error takes into account design effects due to the weighting of the sample to the population parameters identified above. In order to reach a representative sample of Pennsylvania adult residents, landlines and cell phones were called up to 3 times. Interviews were conducted by Communication Concepts of Easton Pennsylvania. Due to rounding, the totals provided in the frequency report may not total 100 percent. Data analysis and weighting were conducted through the use of the SPSS statistical software package Version 29.0. The survey instrument was designed by Dr. Christopher P. Borick of the MCIPO in conjunction with the Muhlenberg College Public Health Program and is presented in its entirety in the following section of the report. The survey was funded by the MCIPO. For more detailed information on the methods employed please contact the MCIPO at 484-664-3444 or email Dr. Borick at [email protected].


SURVEY INSTRUMENT AND RESPONSE FREQUENCIES

SCREENER: Thank you. Just to confirm are you a resident of Pennsylvania who is age 18 or older?

  1. Yes…………..…..CONTINUE
  2. No………………THANK AND DISCONTINUE
  3. Not Sure….……. THANK AND DISCONTINUE

Q1: In general, would you describe the quality of health care in Pennsylvania as excellent, good, fair or poor?

  1. Excellent………..16%
  2. Good……..………54%
  3. Fair……………… 22%
  4. Poor……………. 8%

 

Spring 2019

Spring 2020

Spring 2021

Spring 2022

Spring 2023

Spring 2024

Excellent

20%

17%

14%

13%

21%

16%

Good

47%

42%

48%

42%

45%

54%

Fair

25%

24%

23%

30%

25%

22%

Poor

5%

16%

12%

12%

7%

8%

Not Sure

3%

<1%

4%

3%

1%

<1%

Q2: In general, would you describe the health care YOU have received in the last year as excellent, good, fair or poor?

  1. Excellent………..32%
  2. Good……..……..51%
  3. Fair……………..13%
  4. Poor…………….  4%
  5. (98) Not Sure (VOL)...1%

 

Spring 2023

Spring 2024

Excellent

29%

32%

Good

48%

51%

Fair

18%

13%

Poor

5%

4%

Not Sure

<1%

<1%

Q3: Next, I would like to ask you a question about marijuana. First, do you favor, oppose or neither favor nor oppose the complete legalization of the use of marijuana for any purpose?

  1. Favor………………………49%
  2. Oppose…………………….31%
  3. Neither Favor or Oppose…. 20%

 

Spring 2013

Spring 2014

Spring 2016

Spring 2017

Spring 2018

Spring 2019

Spring

2020

Spring 2021

Spring 2022

Spring 2023

Spring 2024

Favor

33%

38%

39%

45%

49%

51%

56%

58%

56%

50%

49%

Oppose

40%

35%

38%

29%

30%

28%

26%

26%

25%

31%

31%

Neither Favor or Oppose

24%

22%

20%

23%

19%

18%

12%

14%

18%

18%

20%

Not Sure

 3%

  4%

 3%

 3%

  3%

 3%

 6%

 3%

1%

<1%

<1%

Q4: In the community you live in is opioid abuse a major problem, moderate problem, minor problem or not a problem at all? 

  1. Major Problem……………20%
  2. Moderate Problem……….. 34%
  3. Minor Problem……………26%
  4. Not a Problem at All………17% 
  5. (98) Not Sure..................2%

 

Spring 2023

Spring 2024

Major Problem

25%

20%

Moderate Problem

37%

34%

Minor Problem

21%

26%

Not a Problem at All

10%

17%

Not Sure

7%

2%

Q5: Next, I have a few questions about mental health. How would you describe your own mental health or emotional well-being at this time? Would you say it is -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor

  1. Excellent…… ……32%
  2. Good………………..51%
  3. Only Fair……………14%
  4. Poor…………………. 3% 

 

Spring 2021

Spring 2022

Spring 2023

Spring 2024

Excellent

33%

35%

25%

32%

Good

45%

44%

53%

51%

Only Fair

19%

17%

17%

14%

Poor

3%

 4%

4%

3%

Not Sure

1%

<1%

0%

0%

Q6: Compared to 12 months ago, would you say your mental health or emotional well-being is much better, somewhat better, somewhat worse, much worse or a about the same as a year ago? 

  1. Much Better………………………….13%
  2. Somewhat Better……………………. 27%
  3. Somewhat Worse……………………. 6%
  4. Much Worse…………………………. 3%
  5. About the Same as a Year Ago………52% 

 

Spring 2021

Spring 2022

Spring 2023

Spring 2024

Much Better

9%

12%

10%

13%

Somewhat Better

17%

19%

26%

27%

Somewhat Worse

18%

9%

10%

6%

Much Worse

4%

3%

3%

3%

About the Same as a Year Ago

53%

56%

51%

52%

Not Sure

<1%

0%

0%

0%

Is each of the following items I read a major source of stress, a minor source of stress, or not a source of stress for you? (ROTATE ITEMS) 

 

Major Source

Minor Source

Not a Source

Not Sure (Volunteered)

Q7: Your personal situation such as relationships with family members and friends

9%

 

34%

57%

1%

Q8: Your work

22%

37%

41%

0%

Q9: Your personal finances

22%

46%

32%

0%

Q10: Politics and current events

43%

38%

19%

0%

The next questions are about how you feel about different aspects of your life. For each one, tell me if you always, often, sometimes, rarely or never have felt that way in the past 12 months. (ROTATE OPTIONS) (READ OPTIONS AGAIN IF NECESSARY) 

 

Always

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Q11: Lonely

2%

9%

27%

21%

40%

Q12: Depressed

2%

5%

26%

29%

38%

Q13: Anxious

4%

18%

36%

21%

22%

Q14: Please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statements.  First, the chances of a child getting autism are increased if they receive the recommended childhood immunizations. (ROTATE OPTIONS Q14 to Q18) 

  1. Strongly Agree………..…6%
  2. Somewhat Agree……….16%
  3. Somewhat Disagree…….25%
  4. Strongly Disagree………47%
  5. (98) Not Sure (Vol)………….6%

 

Spring 2013

Spring 2014

Spring 2015

Spring 2016

Spring 2017

Spring 2018

Spring

2019

Spring 2020

Spring 2021

Spring 2022

Spring 2023

Spring

2024

Strongly Agree

5%

8%

7%

6%

4%

8%

9%

8%

5%

7%

5%

6%

Somewhat Agree

13%

13%

10%

13%

13%

13%

9%

8%

6%

8%

15%

16%

Somewhat Disagree

22%

21%

22%

16%

14%

14%

16%

13%

12%

26%

28%

25%

Strongly Disagree

35%

39%

48%

51%

48%

49%

55%

57%

52%

41%

42%

47%

Not Sure

26%

19%

12%

14%

21%

16%

11%

15%

25%

18%

11%

6%

Q15: Immunizations pose little health risks to those that receive them.

  1. Strongly Agree…………40%
  2. Somewhat Agree……….36%
  3. Somewhat Disagree…….15%
  4. Strongly Disagree………. 9%
  5. (98) Not Sure (Vol)………….1%q 

 

Spring 2019

Spring

2020

Spring 2021

Spring 2022

Spring 2023

Spring 2024

Strongly Agree

54%

49%

41%

41%

41%

40%

Somewhat Agree

23%

25%

30%

34%

40%

36%

Somewhat Disagree

9%

8%

9%

12%

15%

15%

Strongly Disagree

9%

8%

3%

10%

3%

9%

Not Sure

4%

10%

17%

4%

2%

1%

Q16: E-cigarettes and vaping pose significant health risks  

  1. Strongly Agree…………67%
  2. Somewhat Agree……….24%
  3. Somewhat Disagree……. 6%
  4. Strongly Disagree……… 3%
  5. (98) Not Sure (Vol)………..<1% 

Q17: Pennsylvania needs stronger restrictions on access to firearms. 

  1. Strongly Agree…………34%
  2. Somewhat Agree……….25%
  3. Somewhat Disagree…….16%
  4. Strongly Disagree………25%
  5. (98) Not Sure (Vol)……   …<1% 

Q18: Access to abortions should be more limited in Pennsylvania 

  1. Strongly Agree…………20%
  2. Somewhat Agree……….21%
  3. Somewhat Disagree…….22%
  4. Strongly Disagree………37%
  5. (98) Not Sure (Vol)………...<1% 

Next, I’m going to read a list of issues in Pennsylvania today. For each issue I mention please indicate if you think the issue is a crisis, a problem but not a crisis, or not a problem at all?. First, (ROTATE QUESTIONS 19-23) 

Q19: Aggressive Driving 

  1. Crisis……………………………12%
  2. A problem but not a crisis………69%
  3. Not a problem…………………..19%

Q20: Fracking 

  1. Crisis……………………………… 11%
  2. A problem but not a crisis………… 45%
  3. Not a problem…………………….. 34%
  4. (98) Not sure……………………...……10% 

Q21: Climate change 

  1. Crisis…………………………………31%
  2. A problem but not a crisis……………46%
  3. Not a problem………………………...23%
  4. (98) Not sure……………………………..<1% 

 

Spring 2023

Spring 2024

Crisis

29%

31%

A problem but not a crisis

38%

46%

Not a Problem

28%

23%

Not sure

4%

<1%

Q22: Obesity 

  1. Crisis………………………………..…43%
  2. A problem but not a crisis……….…… 53%
  3. Not a problem…………………………..4%
  4. (98) Not sure……………………….……...<1% 

Q23: Domestic Violence 

  1. Crisis……………………………………41%
  2. A problem but not a crisis………………55%
  3. Not a problem……………………..……..4%
  4. (98) Not sure…………………………..…….1%

(DEMOGRAPHICS)

 Q24. Finally, I have a few questions about yourself. First, what is your current marital status? 

 

 

Single

31%

Married

50%

Separated

2%

Divorced

9%

Widowed

7%

Partnered

1%

 Q25: What is your highest level of education? Is it (READ LIST)? 

 

 

Less Than High School

3%

High School Graduate

30%

Some College Or Technical School

26%

College Graduate (4 Yr Only)

27%

Graduate Or Professional Degree

14%

Q26: Which of the following categories best describes your racial identity? (READ LIST) 

 

 

White/Caucasian

74%

Black/African-American

11%

Hispanic or Latino

9%

Asian

2%

Native American

0%

Mixed Race

4%

Or Other

1%

Q27: Which of the following categories best describes your current voting status? Are you registered as a (READ LIST)? 

 

 

Democrat

43%

Republican

39%

Independent

12%

Other Party

1%

Or Not Registered To Vote In Pennsylvania

4%

Not Sure (Vol)

1%

Q28: Which of the following categories best describes your religious affiliation?  Are you (READ LIST)? 

 

 

Catholic

29%

Protestant

30%

Jewish

3%

Muslim

3%

Hindu

2%

Other Religion (Including Agnostic)

29%

Atheist

5%

Q29: Do you have children under the age of 18? 

 

 

Has Children Under 18

22%

No Children Under 18

78%

Q30: Which of the following best describes your health care insurance status. Are you primarily insured: 

 

 

By A Plan Provided By Your Employer

50%

By A Plan That You Purchase Individually

10%

By Medicaid Coverage

7%

By Medicare Coverage

24%

Uninsured

3%

Other

4%

Not Sure (Vol)

2%

Q31: In which of the following age categories does your current age fall. (READ LIST) 

 

 

18-29

23%

30-49

30%

50-65

26%

Or Over 65

22%

Q32: Which of the following categories best describes your family income? (READ LIST) 

 

 

Under $20,000

8%

$20,000-$40,000

16%

$40,000-$60,000

20%

$60,000-$80,000

18%

$80,000-$100,000

15%

Over $100,000

22%

Not Sure (Vol)

<1%

Q33:  Finally, to which gender identity do you most identify? (READ LIST) 

 

 

Female

51%

Male

49%

Transgender Male

0%

Transgender Female

<1%

Or you do not identify as male, female or transgender

0%

Not Sure (Vol)

<1%

SELECTED CROSS TABULATIONS 

Q10: Politics and current events are a major source of stress, a minor source of stress, or not a source of stress for you? 

 

Major Source

Minor Source

Not a Source

Female

47%

36%

18%

Male

39%

40%

20%

No College Degree

43%

35%

22%

College Degree

43%

43%

15%

White

43%

38%

19%

Person of Color

43%

38%

19%

Democrat

44%

42%

14%

Republican

47%

33%

21%

Independent

39%

35%

27%

18-29

43%

37%

20%

30-49

39%

45%

16%

50-65

46%

39%

15%

Over 65

44%

30%

26%

Under 60k Income

44%

34%

22%

Over 60 K Income

42%

40%

18%

Q18: Access to abortions should be more limited in Pennsylvania 

 

Strongly Agree

 Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Not Sure VOL)

Female

18%

18%

19%

45%

0%

Male

21%

25%

26%

28%

1%

No College Degree

23%

24%

24%

30%

0%

College Degree

15%

17%

20%

48%

1%

White

21%

19%

21%

40%

0%

Person of Color

17%

26%

26%

29%

1%

Democrat

11%

16%

15%

57%

1%

Republican

30%

27%

23%

20%

0%

Independent

12%

27%

37%

25%

0%

18-29

11%

21%

25%

43%

0%

30-49

17%

25%

23%

35%

0%

50-65

17%

19%

26%

37%

1%

Over 65

36%

19%

13%

32%

0%

Under 60k Income

22%

25%

22%

31%

0%

Over 60 K Income

18%

18%

22%

41%

0%

Q17: Pennsylvania needs stronger restrictions on access to firearms. 

 

Strongly Agree

 Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Not Sure VOL)

Female

45%

25%

14%

17%

1%

Male

23%

25%

18%

33%

0%

No College Degree

29%

26%

19%

26%

0%

College Degree

42%

24%

11%

23%

1%

White

34%

21%

18%

28%

0%

Person of Color

35%

36%

11%

18%

0%

Democrat

54%

25%

7%

13%

1%

Republican

18%

18%

26%

38%

0%

Independent

16%

41%

18%

25%

0%

18-29

25%

31%

19%

25%

0%

30-49

30%

26%

18%

26%

0%

50-65

29%

29%

12%

29%

1%

Over 65

54%

11%

14%

20%

0%

Under 60k Income

32%

26%

18%

25%

0%

Over 60 K Income

36%

24%

15%

25%

0%

Q21: Climate Change is a crisis, a problem but not a crisis, or not a problem at all 

 

Crisis

A Problem but not a Crisis

Not a Problem

Not Sure

Female

30%

49%

21%

1%

Male

31%

43%

26%

1%

No College Degree

27%

43%

29%

0%

College Degree

36%

49%

14%

1%

White

28%

45%

26%

1%

Person of Color

38%

48%

14%

0%

Democrat

41%

50%

10%

0%

Republican

19%

42%

39%

1%

Independent

34%

38%

28%

0%

18-29

41%

42%

18%

0%

30-49

33%

53%

15%

0%

50-65

26%

43%

29%

1%

Over 65

23%

43%

34%

1%

Under 60k Income

29%

44%

26%

1%

Over 60 K Income

34%

45%

21%

0%

Q23: Domestic Violence is a crisis, a problem but not a crisis, or not a problem at all 

 

Crisis

A Problem but not a Crisis

Not a Problem

Not Sure

Female

46%

51%

3%

1%

Male

37%

59%

4%

1%

No College Degree

43%

53%

4%

0%

College Degree

38%

57%

3%

2%

White

39%

57%

3%

1%

Person of Color

46%

48%

6%

0%

Democrat

43%

52%

5%

1%

Republican

42%

55%

3%

1%

Independent

49%

45%

6%

0%

18-29

51%

44%

5%

0%

30-49

41%

56%

2%

1%

50-65

39%

54%

7%

1%

Over 65

33%

66%

0%

1%

Under 60k Income

40%

54%

5%

1%

Over 60 K Income

44%

54%

2%

0%