ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Almost one in three Pennsylvanians believe there is a link between childhood immunizations and autism, according to a new statewide survey.
Thirty-one percent agree “strongly” or “somewhat” in the unproven link that the chances of getting autism are increased if they receive the recommended childhood vaccines — the highest level in the 13 years the survey has been conducted.
That was just one of the findings of the 2025 Pennsylvania Health Survey by the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, led by professor Christopher Borick.
The telephone survey of 521 adult Pennsylvanians between March 10 and March 26 has a margin of error of 5.5%.
The survey also found considerable differences in public health opinions along political party divides.
Among key findings:
- Only about 1 in 5 Pennsylvanians (21%) oppose the legalization of marijuana — the lowest percentage since the question was first asked in 2013.
- The percent of people who say the state’s quality of health care is either “excellent” or “good” is 51%, down from a high of 70% in 2024 and the lowest rating since the survey question began being asked in 2019.
- Fewer than 4 in 10 Pennsylvanians (36%) expressed trust (“a lot” or “some”) in Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to handle health care issues as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic, said earlier this month the department will undertake a “massive testing and research effort” to determine the cause of autism.
- Political party plays a role in shaping viewpoints on the relative safety of immunizations, with Republicans nearly twice as likely (41% to 21%) as Democrats to agree “strongly” or “somewhat” that the chances of a child getting autism are increased if they receive the recommended childhood immunizations.
- Pennsylvanians were less likely to report improved mental health in 2025 than they were last year. In this year’s findings, 30% of state residents indicated their mental health is “much better” or “somewhat better” than about a year ago, compared with 40% of state residents that reported improved mental health in 2024.
- Fifteen percent of Republicans reported that politics and current events are a “major source” of stress, compared to 52% of Democrats, and 26% of those who identified as independents.
- Democrats are more likely than Republicans to indicate that their mental health or emotional well-being is “somewhat” or “much worse” than about a year ago, with 37% of Democrats reporting diminished mental health over the last year compared with only 7% of their Republican counterparts.
The Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion was conducted in conjunction with the Muhlenberg College Public Health program.
More on the study here.
