Washington Office 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 305 Washington, DC T F

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1 National Survey of Public Perceptions of Environmental Health Risks Mississippi Component Report on the Findings Topline Results Washington Office 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 305 Washington, DC T F Princeton Office 911 Commons Way Princeton, NJ T F Princeton Survey Research Associates for Health-Track, a project supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts through a grant to Georgetown University E Research.DC@psra.com W

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4 National Survey of Public Perceptions of Environmental Health Risks Mississippi Component Prepared by Princeton Survey Research Associates for Health-Track, a project supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts through a grant to Georgetown University REPORT ON THE FINDINGS 1 Introduction and Summary of Findings 3 Full Report: Perceptions of Environmental Health Risks TOPLINE RESULTS

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7 Report on the Findings National Survey of Public Perceptions of Environmental Health Risks, Mississippi Component Prepared by Princeton Survey Research Associates for Health-Track, a project supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts through a grant to Georgetown University Mississippi voters worry that the environment may be hazardous to their health and want action taken to reduce the threat. To this end, Magnolia state voters fully support establishing a national environmental health monitoring network that would gather data on where and in what numbers chronic diseases strike and what environmental factors play a role. Many Mississippi voters fear that chronic illnesses such as respiratory difficulties, birth defects, leukemia and breast cancer are caused in part by exposure to environmental hazards like pesticides, pollution and toxic waste. The link between chronic illnesses and environmental problems worry young Mississippi voters even more than older ones. With agriculture ranking as the top industry in Mississippi, all voters are especially concerned about the health effects of pesticides. More so than voters nationwide, Mississippi voters rate unsafe levels of pesticides in the foods people eat as a very serious health threat. These are among the key findings of a new statewide survey of 800 Mississippi registered voters conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates (PSRA) and sponsored by Health-Track, a project supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts through a grant to Georgetown University. This survey was conducted in conjunction with a Health-Track survey of registered voters nationwide. For most in Mississippi, concern about environmental health threats is based on first-hand experience. Two-thirds of voters say they or a close family member has been exposed to one or more environmental problems, including living in a community with water or air pollution or eating foods with unsafe levels of pesticides. Most are anxious that their health may have been harmed. Moreover, nearly a quarter of Mississippi voters say they personally know someone whose health has been damaged by environmental hazards. Voters feel their health is vulnerable to the effects of environmental problems and fault their local, state and federal governments for failing to take appropriate action in this area. Like voters nationwide, those in Mississippi look to the government for help because they feel they cannot tackle environmental health threats on their own. While half of Mississippi voters feel there is a great deal

8 they can do to protect themselves from infectious diseases like measles and tuberculosis, substantially fewer believe there is much they can do to defend against environmental health threats. 2 Mississippi voters are nearly unanimous in their belief that reducing illnesses potentially caused by environmental problems should be an important priority for all levels of government. Nine in 10 say the federal government should make this an important priority, including a majority who say fighting the health effects of environmental problems should be a top priority. But few see that this level of effort is actually expended. Barely one in 10 Mississippi voters say the federal government now makes dealing with the health effects of environmental problems a top priority, while another quarter say it is an important but not top priority. One proposal that wins solid support among Mississippi voters is a national tracking and monitoring network for chronic diseases. This would allow the to track chronic diseases community by community, identify potential environmental threats and measure exposure to these dangers. Most Mississippi voters are concerned that the lacks a national tracking and monitoring network for chronic illnesses. One way to address these concerns is to establish a national network to monitor and track exposure to environmental hazards and the rates of chronic illnesses like asthma, birth defects and childhood cancer. Public health professionals argue that this would yield a wealth of data to help focus prevention and treatment efforts and over the long term provide clues to the causes of chronic illnesses. In fact, nearly nine in 10 Mississippi voters say they support a national strategy for responding to chronic diseases. And for eight in 10 Mississippi voters, the creation of a national tracking and monitoring network is very important for the to do. This survey was conducted May 9-19, 2000, by Princeton Survey Research Associates. For results based on the total sample, the margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. When comparing the Mississippi data to the companion national survey, there is a 5 point margin of error for differences between the two polls. In addition to sampling error, question wording and the practical difficulties in conducting telephone surveys can introduce error or bias. A detailed discussion of the survey results follows.

9 PERCEPTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS 3 Environment Linked to Health Problems A solid majority of Mississippi voters see a strong link between environmental problems and disease, listing toxic waste, water pollution, and pesticides as among the most serious health concerns. Six in 10 (58%) Mississippi voters say environmental factors like pollution and toxic waste are very important in causing diseases, a slightly larger majority than among all voters nationwide (53%). Men, women, African-American voters, and white voters are all about equally likely to see a very important link between environmental factors and disease. Indeed, just nine percent in Mississippi say there is not an important link between environmental problems and disease. IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN CAUSING DISEASES MISS. Very important 58% 53 Somewhat important Not too important 5 6 Not important at all 4 3 Majorities of voters in Mississippi say exposure to toxic waste (61%), drinking water that has harmful chemicals in it (58%), and water pollution (52%) are each very serious threats to public health. Younger voters consistently express much more concern than older voters about each of these potential health threats. For example, nearly three in four voters under 30 (72%) say toxic waste is a very serious health threat, compared to 57 percent of voters between 50 and 64 and less than half (45%) of voters 65 or older. Similarly, 63 percent of voters under 30 rate food pesticides as a very serious health threat, compared to just 36 percent among senior citizens. SEVERITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN CAUSING DISEASES VERY SERIOUS SOMEWHAT SERIOUS SOMEWHAT MINOR NOT A THREAT Air pollution 44% Water pollution Drinking water with harmful chemicals Pesticides in the food people eat Toxic waste African-American and white voters express similar levels of concern about these health threats, with one exception a solid majority of black voters (59%) rate unsafe levels of pesticides in food as a very serious threat, compared to just under half (46%) of white voters. In many ways, Mississippi voters mirror public opinion nationwide in their ranking of these five potential health threats. But the health threats stemming from pesticides represent one of the few areas where Mississippi voters express even greater concern than other voters in the Fully half

10 (50%) of Mississippi voters rate pesticides in the foods people eat as a very serious threat, compared to 41 percent among all voters nationwide. 4 Majorities Say Reducing Illnesses Should Be Top Priority... Most voters in Mississippi say reducing illnesses caused by environmental problems should be a top priority for all levels of government the federal government as well as their state and local governments. Nine in 10 Mississippi voters say the federal government should make reducing illnesses caused by environmental problems an important priority, with slightly more than half (54%) saying these efforts should be a top priority. Indeed, fewer than one in ten voters (8%) say reducing illnesses due to environmental problems should not be an important priority for the federal government. Equally large majorities of Mississippi voters want their state and local governments to address illnesses causes by environmental problems. Nine in 10 (89%) say this should be an important priority for state and local governments, with more than half (57%) rating these efforts as a top priority. Just 5 percent say this is not an important priority for the state and local government. The especially strong concerns of younger voters about the health threats of environmental problems are reflected in their views about the need for government action, as well. Fully 62 percent of voters under 30 say the federal government should make reducing illnesses a top priority, and nearly as many (57%) voters between 30 and 49 say the same. PRIORITY GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE TO REDUCING ILLNESSES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT MISS. MISS.! How much priority should government give to reducing illnesses that may be caused by environmental problems? Top priority 54% Important, but not top priority Not too important Not a priority at all This compares with 46 percent of voters 65 and older who rate this as a top priority for the federal government. Support for federal action also crosses party lines. While solid majorities of Democrats (59%) and Independents (61%) say the federal government should make this a top priority, nearly half of Republican voters (47%) say the same. Although large majorities of both African-Americans and whites in Mississippi say all levels of government should make reducing illnesses stemming from environmental problems an important or top priority, support among black voters is even stronger than among whites. For example, 69 percent of black voters say the federal government should make this a top priority, compared to 46 percent among white voters. A similar number of blacks (68%) say reducing illnesses should be a top priority for state and local governments, compared to 50 percent of white voters. While a majority of voters nationwide say local, state, and federal governments should make reducing illnesses stemming from environmental problems an important or top priority, the level of support for government action in these areas is even stronger in Mississippi. For example, the 54

11 percent majority of Mississippi voters saying the federal government should make this a top priority compares with the 44 percent who hold this view nationwide. Similarly, 57 percent of voters in Mississippi say state and local governments should make reducing illnesses due to environmental problems a top priority, compared to 48 percent of voters throughout the 5...But Few See Government Doing Much About It At the same time, just over one-third of Mississippi voters believe their local, state, or federal governments are putting a priority on reducing illnesses that may be caused by environmental problems. Barely one in ten (12%) say the federal government currently makes this a top priority, while another 27 percent say it is an important but not a top federal priority. An equally modest number of voters see state and local government action in this area nine percent say their state and local governments make reducing illnesses a top priority, while 27 percent believe it is an important priority. Indeed, nearly half of Mississippi voters 49 percent say their local, state, and federal governments do not treat reducing illnesses stemming from environmental problems as an important priority. Despite the differences across age groups in how important a priority reducing illnesses should be, there are no real differences in perceptions about what governments are actually doing. Roughly one-third (36%) of Mississippi voters who are 65 or older say the federal government makes this an important or top priority, while 40 percent of those in all other age groups say the same. Notably, although support for government action in this area is somewhat stronger among Mississippi voters than among all voters nationwide, those in Mississippi are no more likely to perceive government action especially when it comes to what their state and local governments are doing. The 39 percent of PRIORITY GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY GIVES TO REDUCING ILLNESSES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT MISS. MISS.! How much priority does the government actually give to reducing illnesses caused by environmental problems? Top priority 12% Important, but not top priority Not too important Not a priority at all Mississippi voters who say the federal government makes reducing illnesses at least an important priority is comparable to the 40 percent of voters nationwide who say the same. And just 36 percent in Mississippi say their state and local governments make reducing illnesses an important or top priority, compared to 43 percent of voters in the Mississippi voters also give poor marks to their elected officials in Washington for efforts to reduce environmental health threats in the state. Some 36 percent of voters rate the job their members of Congress have done as good or very good, while half (53%) rate efforts by their senators and representatives as only fair or poor. These views are comparable to the ratings given to elected officials in Washington by all voters throughout the country.

12 6 The ratings given senators and representatives by voters in Mississippi are generally consistent across all age groups, although senior citizens give their elected officials somewhat higher marks, with 46 percent saying members of Congress do a good or very good job in reducing environmental threats. Republicans also give their elected officials higher ratings 44 percent of Republican voters say members of Congress do a good or very good job, compared to one-third of Democrats (33%) and Independents (33%). Environmental Factors Linked to Illnesses Most voters in Mississippi believe environmental factors play a role in causing sinus and allergy problems and asthma in children. Fully 63 percent of voters say sinus and allergy problems are strongly linked to environmental problems, while an additional 24 percent say that environmental problems play a minor role in causing sinus and allergy problems. Similarly, eight in 10 (80%) voters believe environmental factors play a major (50%) or minor (30%) role in causing asthma in children. Many voters see an equally strong link between environmental problems and other types of illnesses. Seven in 10 (72%) say environmental factors play a major (39%) or minor (33%) role in causing birth defects, for example, and an equal number (74%) say environmental factors contribute to cold and flues. Two in three (65%) see environmental problems as a major (36%) or minor (29%) cause of cancer in children, such as leukemia. More than one in two Mississippi voters believe environmental factors play a role in several other illnesses, including breast cancer (58%), infertility (58%), learning disabilities (58%), brain tumors (58%) and prostate cancer (54%). ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN CAUSING SPECIFIC ILLNESSES MAJOR ROLE MINOR ROLE NO ROLE AT ALL Sinus and allergy problems 63% 24 7 Asthma in children Birth defects Cancer in children, such as leukemia Colds and flues Breast cancer Infertility Learning disabilities Brain tumors Prostate cancer Parkinson s disease Although men and women express similar levels of concern about the role of environmental factors in causing many specific illnesses, there are several noticeable gender gaps among Mississippi voters. More women than men see environmental factors as a major cause of sinus and allergy problems (68% vs. 58%) and as a major cause of asthma in children (54% vs. 45%). In contrast, more men than women say environmental factors play a major role in causing cancer in children (41% vs. 33%) and brain tumors (31% vs. 23%). Younger voters also express consistently more concern than senior citizens about the link between environmental problems and specific illnesses.

13 Overall, Mississippi voters share the concerns of voters nationwide about the link between environmental problems and specific illnesses. Nearly equal numbers of voters see environmental factors as a major cause of sinus and allergy problems, for example 63 percent in Mississippi, compared to 62 percent throughout the Mississippi voters are slightly more likely to see environmental problems as a major cause of colds and flues, however (39 percent in Mississippi, vs. 32 percent overall). 7 Many Have Personal Experience With Environmental Problems Two-thirds (66%) of Mississippi voters say they or a close family member has had first-hand experience with one or more environmental problems such as living in a community with unsafe water or eating foods with unsafe levels of pesticides. Indeed, 36 percent of voters report having been exposed to two or more of these types of environmental problems. What s more, one in five (22%) Mississippi voters say they personally know someone who's health has been damaged by environmental factors. NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED MISS. None 34% or more Although roughly one-third of Mississippi voters report no first-hand experience with any of these environmental threats compared to just 26 percent of voters nationwide the picture in the Magnolia State is by no means perfect. One-third (34%) of voters in Mississippi say they or a close family member has lived in a community with unsafe water. Notably, this is the one area where Mississippi voters report much greater exposure than voters in the rest of the country just one in four (25%) in the say they or a close family member has lived in a community where water was sometimes unsafe to drink.

14 8 One in three Mississippi voters (34%) also say they or a close family member has eaten foods with unsafe levels of pesticides, while others say they or a family member has lived in a community where many people suffered from the same health problem (26%) or a community where air pollution was a problem (20%). At the same time, 15 percent say they or a family member has lived in a community where water pollution was a problem and just eight percent say they or a family member has been exposed to toxic waste. EXPERIENCED ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS YES! Have you or a close family member ever...? Lived in a community where air pollution was a problem Lived in a community where water pollution was a problem Lived in a community where the water sometimes wasn t safe to drink Lived in a community where many people had the same health problem, such as cancer, asthma or birth defects Eaten foods treated with pesticides NO MISS. MISS. 20% Been exposed to toxic waste Large majorities of those who have first-hand experience with these environmental problems express concern about the health effects. Among those who say they or a close family member has lived in a community with unsafe water, for example, three in four (75%) are concerned that this has harmed their own or their family's health. Fully 85 percent of those who have been exposed to toxic waste voice concerns that this exposure has had harmful health effects. Concerns about the health effects are almost as strong among those who report having lived in a community where many people have the same health problems or in a community with air pollution. CONCERN THAT ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR HAS HARMED HEALTH Lived in community with air pollution Lived in community with water pollution Lived in community where water wasn t safe to drink Lived in community where many people had same health problem VERY CONCERNED SOMEWHAT CONCERNED NOT TOO CONCERNED NOT AT ALL CONCERNED 53% n Eaten foods treated with pesticides Been exposed to toxic waste

15 People Feel Vulnerable to Environmental Health Threats... When it comes to protecting themselves from health problems caused by environmental threats as opposed to infectious diseases many Mississippi voters question how much they can do. One in two (51%) voters say there is a great deal they can do to protect themselves against infectious diseases like measles, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Just 20 percent say there is little or nothing they can do to protect themselves from infectious diseases. 9 In contrast, just 27 percent of voters say there is a great deal they can do to protect themselves from health problems caused by environmental threats like pollution and toxic waste. Indeed, more than one-third (36%) feel there is little or nothing they can do to protect themselves from HOW MUCH CAN WE DO TO PROTECT these environmental problems. AGAINST HEALTH PROBLEMS? Senior citizens express the greatest sense of vulnerability when it comes to protecting themselves against health problems caused by environmental threats. Just 17 percent of voters age 65 or older say there is a great deal they can do to protect themselves, compared to more than 30 percent of those under age 50. INFECTIOUS DISEASES HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENT MISS. MISS. A great deal 51% Moderate amount A little Nothing at all And Want More Information A majority of Mississippi voters want more information about environmental issues in their communities and steps they can take to protect themselves and their families from environmental health problems. Fully 54 percent say they would like more information about the state of the environment in their communities. African-American voters express the greatest concerns 62 percent say they want more information although one in two (50%) white voters would like more information, as well. A majority (56%) also say they would like more information about what they can do to protect themselves and their families from environmental health problems. Here, too, a solid 64 percent majority of black voters say they want more information, while some 53 percent of white voters would like more information about protection from environmental threats.

16 10 Mississippi voters express slightly more interest than voters nationwide for information about environmental issues. For example, 56 percent want more information about protections against environmental health problems compared with a much narrower division among all voters nationwide 50 percent of voters in the say they want more information, while 49 percent say they HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION ABOUT ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECTION The state of the environment in their community What they can do to protect themselves and their family from environmental health problems YES, HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION MISS. MISS. 43% have enough information. Similarly, 54 percent in Mississippi say they want more information about environmental issues in their community, compared to 49 percent nationwide. Voters Expect to Study Health Effects of Environmental Problems Nearly all Mississippi voters want the to do more research to learn about the health effects of environmental problems. Nine in ten (91%) say it is important that the do more research in this area, with two-thirds (66%) rating this research as very important. Support for increased federal research efforts is especially strong among women (70% say it is very important) and among African-American voters (74%), although more than 60 percent of those in every major demographic group rate more research as very important. Support for research among Mississippi voters is comparable to opinion among voters nationwide. Nine in 10 of voters in the (92%) and in Mississippi (91%) say more federal research into the health effects of environmental problems is important. IMPORTANCE OF MORE RESEARCH! Importance of doing more research on the health effects of environmental problems MISS. Very important 66% 62 Somewhat important Not too important 5 5 Not important at all 2 2

17 Strong Support for Environmental Health Tracking System One step the government can take to study the health effects of environmental problems, according to public health officials, is develop a national monitoring and tracking strategy. This would allow the to track chronic diseases community by community, identify potential environmental threats, and measure exposure to these dangers. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention track infectious diseases, but not most chronic and environment-related diseases. 11 An overwhelming majority of Mississippi voters say they are concerned that there is no national system for monitoring environmental health threats and tracking chronic diseases. Only onethird of voters (34%) believe there currently is a national tracking and monitoring system, while an equal number (34%) say there is not and 32 percent say they are unsure. But when told that there currently is no national tracking and monitoring system, a large majority (83%) of Mississippi voters say they are concerned about this in fact, six in 10 (57%) say they are very concerned. Concern is greatest among voters under 50 (89 FEELINGS ABOUT NATIONAL MONITORING SYSTEM percent say they are concerned) and among African-Americans (88%), MISS. although solid majorities also express! Concern that a national monitoring system is not in place. concern across all major demographic groups. A great deal Some 57% Not too much 8 10 What's more, equally large majorities support creation of a national system for tracking, monitoring, and responding to chronic diseases like asthma, birth defects, and childhood cancer. Some 85 percent of Mississippi voters support a national tracking and monitoring strategy, including a 56 Not at all! Support for national monitoring system. Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose 4 56% percent majority who strongly support this proposal. Here again, support is greatest among voters under 50 fully 90 percent support creating a national tracking and monitoring network, compared to a 79 percent majority among voters age 50 or older. Overall, fewer than one in ten Mississippi voters (8%) oppose creation of a national network for responding to chronic diseases. In both their concerns about the lack of an existing national tracking and monitoring network and their support for creating this type of network, Mississippi voters stand out somewhat from other voters throughout the The 57 percent majority in Mississippi who are most concerned that there is no national system compares with the nearly half (47%) of voters nationwide who express this level of concern. Similarly, 56 percent of Mississippi voters strongly support creating a national network for tracking and monitoring chronic diseases, compared to 49 percent of voters throughout the

18 12 Indeed, three out of four (76%) Mississippi voters rate creation of this type of national strategy as an important priority for the country. Specifically, one in five (22%) say creation of a national tracking and monitoring system is one of the most important things we can do, while 54 percent say IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL MONITORING it is very important to do. Mississippi voters are also slightly more likely than voters throughout the rest of the country to rate creating a national network as an important priority. The 76 percent in Mississippi who say creating a national system is a very important or top priority compares with a 70 percent majority among all voters in the MISS. One of the most important 22% 22 Very important Somewhat important Not too important 2 3 Not important at all 1 2

19 ` National Survey of Public Perceptions of Environmental Health Risks Mississippi Component Topline Princeton Survey Research Associates for Health-Track, a project supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts through a grant to Georgetown University N= 800 Registered Voters in Mississippi Field dates, May 9 19, 2000 Margin of error: ±4% for results based on the full sample Q1 Now thinking about your community, overall how would you rate your community as a place to live? Would you say it is a very good, somewhat good, somewhat poor or very poor place to live? % 55 Very good Somewhat good 32 4 Somewhat poor 4 4 Very poor 2 * Don t know * 1 Refused 0 Q2 About how long have you lived in your community? Have you lived there less than one year, one to five years, six to 10 years, 11 to 20 years or more than 20 years? % 5 Less than one year 5 17 One to five years Six to 10 years to 20 years More than 20 years 39 * Don t know * 0 Refused 0

20 2 Q3 Here is a list of environmental problems some people say they have in their community. Thinking about where you live, please tell me if each is a very big problem in your community, a somewhat big problem, not too big or not at all a problem in your community. What about (Insert)--is this a very big, somewhat big, not too big or not at all a problem in your community? VERY BIG PROBLEM SOMEWHAT BIG PROBLEM NOT TOO BIG A PROBLEM NOT AT ALL A PROBLEM DON T KNOW REFUSED a. air pollution Mississippi * b. water pollution Mississippi * c. drinking water that has harmful chemicals or other materials in it Mississippi * d. pesticides in the food people eat Mississippi * e. toxic waste Mississippi * * Q4 In your opinion, how much can people like you do to protect yourself from (Insert)? A great deal, a moderate amount, a little or nothing at all? A GREAT DEAL MODERATE AMOUNT A LITTLE NOTHING AT ALL DON T KNOW REFUSED a. infectious diseases such as measles, tuberculosis and hepatitis Mississippi * * b. health problems caused by environmental problems such as pollution or toxic waste Mississippi *

21 Q5 Some people say environmental factors like pollution and toxic waste are very important in causing diseases, while others say they are not important at all. What do you think? Do you think environmental problems are very important in causing diseases, somewhat important, not too important or not important at all? % 58 Very important Somewhat important 37 5 Not too important 6 4 Not important at all 3 3 Don t know 1 * Refused * 3 Q6 Would you say exposure to (Insert) is a very serious health threat, somewhat serious, somewhat minor or not a health threat at all? VERY SERIOUS SOMEWHAT SERIOUS SOMEWHAT MINOR NOT A HEALTH THREAT DON T KNOW REFUSED a. air pollution Mississippi b. Water pollution Mississippi * c. drinking water that has harmful chemicals or other materials in it Mississippi * * d. pesticides in the food people eat Mississippi * * e. toxic waste Mississippi *

22 Q7-Q7A Have you or a close family member ever (Insert)? How concerned are you that this harmed (your their your or their) health? Very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too or not at all concerned? 4 a. lived in a community where air pollution was a problem % 20 Yes No 66 1 Don t know 2 0 Refused 0 If Yes... % 53 Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not too concerned 18 6 Not at all concerned 7 1 Don t know 1 0 Refused 0 n b. lived in a community where water pollution was a problem % 15 Yes No 79 1 Don t know 3 0 Refused 0 If Yes... % 57 Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not too concerned 14 9 Not at all concerned 12 1 Don t know 1 0 Refused 0 n c. lived in a community where the water sometimes wasn t safe to drink % 34 Yes No 73 2 Don t know 2 * Refused 0 If Yes... % 56 Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not too concerned Not at all concerned 12 0 Don t know 1 0 Refused 0 n

23 d. lived in a community where many people had the same health problem, such as cancer, asthma or birth defects % 26 Yes No 74 3 Don t know 4 0 Refused * If Yes... % 59 Very concerned Somewhat concerned 28 8 Not too concerned 11 6 Not at all concerned 8 1 Don t know 1 0 Refused 0 n e. Eaten foods treated with pesticides % 34 Yes No Don t know 12 0 Refused * If Yes... % 38 Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not too concerned Not at all concerned 12 2 Don t know * * Refused * n f. been exposed to toxic waste % 8 Yes No 84 3 Don t know 5 0 Refused * If Yes... % 63 Very concerned Somewhat concerned 26 8 Not too concerned 17 7 Not at all concerned 10 0 Don t know 2 0 Refused 0 n

24 Q7count Number of environmental problems experienced 1 6 % 34 None or more 22 Q8 Now thinking about some specific illnesses, do you think environmental factors play a major role, minor role or no role at all in causing (Insert)? MAJOR ROLE MINOR ROLE NO ROLE AT ALL DON T KNOW REFUSED a. cancer in children, such as leukemia Mississippi * b. infertility Mississippi * c. asthma in children Mississippi d. Sinus and allergy problems Mississippi e. birth defects Mississippi * f. breast cancer Mississippi * g. learning disabilities Mississippi * * h. Colds and flues Mississippi i. Parkinson s disease Mississippi * * j. prostate cancer Mississippi * * k. Brain tumors Mississippi * 1 Derived from the number of environmental problems experienced in q7a-q7f.

25 Q9 Is there anyone you know personally whose health has been damaged by environmental factors? % 22 Yes No 73 3 Don t know 4 0 Refused 0 7 Q10 Some people say they do not have enough information about (Insert). How about you? Do you have enough information about this or would like you more information? YES, HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION DON T KNOW REFUSED a. the state of the environment in their community Mississippi * b. what they can do to protect themselves and their family from environmental health problems Mississippi * * Q11a How much of a priority do you think the federal government should give to reducing the number of illnesses that may be caused by environmental problems such as pollution and toxic waste? Should this be a top priority for the federal government, an important but not top priority, not too important or not a priority at all? % 54 Top priority Important, but not top priority 45 4 Not too important 6 4 Not a priority at all 4 4 Don t know 1 * Refused * Q11b And how much of a priority do you think federal government actually gives to reducing the number of illnesses that may be caused by environmental problems? Is this a top priority for the federal government, an important but not top priority, not too important or not a priority at all? % 12 Top priority 9 27 Important, but not top priority Not too important Not a priority at all Don t know 8 * Refused *

26 8 Q12a Now thinking about your state and local government, how much of a priority do you think your state and local government should give to reducing the number of illnesses that may be caused by environmental problems such as pollution and toxic waste? Should this be a top priority for your state and local government, an important but not top priority, not too important or not a priority at all? % 57 Top priority Important, but not top priority 41 3 Not too important 6 2 Not a priority at all 2 6 Don t know 2 * Refused * Q12b And how much of a priority do you think your state and local government actually gives to reducing the number of illnesses that may be caused by environmental problems? Is this a top priority for your state and local government, an important but not top priority, not too important or not a priority at all? % 9 Top priority 9 27 Important, but not top priority Not too important Not a priority at all Don t know 8 * Refused * Q13 Now thinking about your elected officials in Congress--your senators and representatives how would you rate their efforts to reduce environmental health threats in your state? Have they done a very good, good, only fair or poor job in this area? % 8 Very good 8 28 Good Fair Poor Don t know 13 * Refused *

27 Q14 In your opinion, how important is it that the US does more research to learn about the health effects of environmental problems? Very important, somewhat important, not too important or not at all important? % 66 Very important Somewhat important 30 5 Not too important 5 2 Not at all important 2 1 Don t know * 1 Refused 1 9 Q15 As far as you know, does the US have a national system that monitors the number of people who get sick from infectious diseases like measles, tuberculosis and hepatitis? % 46 Yes No Don t know 23 * Refused * Q16 And as far as you know, does the US have a national system that monitors the number of people who are exposed to environmental problems and tracks chronic diseases like asthma, birth defects and childhood cancer? % 34 Yes No Don t know 28 1 Refused * Q17 Many are unaware that currently there is not a national system that monitors exposures to environmental threats and tracks chronic diseases like asthma, birth defects and childhood cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as the CDC, monitors infectious diseases and responds to outbreaks. It does not, however, have a system in place to keep track of environmental health threats and chronic diseases with the goal of preventing disease in the future. Nor is there a national plan for making available the necessary resources at the state and local levels to act on these data. How much does it concern you that there is no national system that monitors environmental health threats and tracks chronic diseases? Does this concern you a great deal, some, not too much or not at all? % 57 A great deal Some 37 8 Not too much 10 4 Not at all 5 4 Don t know 1 1 Refused 1

28 Q18 One proposal to improve the government s ability to protect the public from health threats that are caused by environmental factors is to create a national system for tracking, monitoring and responding to chronic diseases like asthma, birth defects and childhood cancer. Would you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose this proposal? 10 % 56 Strongly support Somewhat support 40 5 Somewhat oppose 4 3 Strongly oppose 3 6 Don t know 3 1 Refused * Q19 How important is it that the US have a national system of tracking and monitoring chronic diseases and their links to environmental hazards so we can fight chronic disease? Is it one of the most important things we can do, very important, somewhat important, not too important or not important at all? % 22 One of the most important Very important Somewhat important 24 2 Not too important 3 1 Not important at all 2 3 Don t know 1 1 Refused * D1 D2 (Respondent s sex) % 44 Male 56 Female What is your age? % and over 2 Refused

29 D3 Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent or something else? % 30 Republican 40 Democrat 14 Independent 8 Other 5 Don t know 3 Refused 11 D4 Question D4 was asked if not Republican or Democrat Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican or Democratic party? % 21 Republican 22 Democrat 28 Neither 21 Don t know 9 Refused n =233 D5 Generally speaking, would you describe your political views as very conservative, conservative, moderate, liberal or very liberal? % 12 Very conservative 35 Conservative 30 Moderate 10 Liberal 6 Very liberal 6 Don t know 2 Refused D6 People often don t find the time to vote. How likely are you to vote in the presidential elections this November very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not likely at all? % 82 Very likely 11 Somewhat likely 2 Not too likely 3 Not likely at all 1 Don t know 1 Refused

30 12 D7 Are you working full or part time or are you retired? % 46 Employed full-time 11 Employed part-time 28 Retired 7 Not employed for pay 4 Disabled 2 Student 2 Other 1 Refused D8 (Do you or Does) anyone in your household work in the health care industry? % 16 Yes 83 No 1 Refused D9 Are you, yourself of Hispanic or Latino origin, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or some other Spanish background? % 3 Yes 95 No 1 Don t know 1 Refused D10 (If Hispanic, asked) Are you white Hispanic, black Hispanic, or some other race? (If not Hispanic asked) What is your race? Are you white, black, Asian or some other race? % 63 White 34 Black * Asian 1 Other or mixed race * Don t know 1 Refused D11 What is the last grade or class you completed in school? % 5 None or grades High school incomplete (grades 9-11) 25 High school graduate (grade 12 or GED certificate 3 Business, Technical, or vocational school AFTER high school 28 Some college, no 4-year degree 12 College graduate (B.S., B.A., or other 4-year degree 3 Post graduate training/professional school after college (Master s degree/ph.d., Law or Medical school) * Don t know 1 Refused

31 D12 Which of the following best describes the place where you now live? A large city, a suburb near a large city, a small city or town or a rural area? % 7 Large city 8 Suburb near a large city 46 Small city 37 Rural * Other * Don t know 1 Refused 13 D13 Do you own or rent your home? % 76 Own 18 Rent 5 Other arrangement * Don t know 2 Refused D14 How many children under age 18 now live in your household? % 57 None or more 1 Refused D15 Questions D15a and b were asked if have children under 18 How many of these children are (Insert)? a under age 5 % 59 None or more 0 Refused n = 331 b between age 5 and 10 % 54 None or more 0 Refused n = 331

32 14 D16 Are you the parent or guardian of any children under 18, whether they live with you or not? % 33 Yes 66 No * Don t know 1 Refused D17 Do you have access to the Internet or the World Wide Web at home, at work or someplace else? % 45 Yes 53 No * Don t know 1 Refused D18 Question D18 was asked if has access to Internet How many days in the past week did you go online for news or information about current events? % 45 None or more 1 Don t know * Refused n = 389 D19 Last year, that is in 1999, what was your total household income before taxes? Just stop me when I get to the right category. % 12 Less than $10, $10,000 to under $20, $20,000 to under $30, $30,000 to under $40,000 9 $40,000 to under $50,000 9 $50,000 to under $75,000 5 $75,000 to under $100,000 3 $100,000 or more 9 Don t know 13 Refused

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