News Summary
A recent survey by Mount Sinai South Nassau reveals that many New Yorkers are worried about the nation’s readiness for health crises. The poll shows that 44% believe the U.S. is unprepared, with significant concerns over infectious diseases and the affordability of healthcare. While some trust vaccine guidance, confidence in chronic disease prevention advice is lacking. The findings highlight urgent issues surrounding healthcare access as federal cuts threaten coverage for many residents.
New York—A recent poll conducted by Mount Sinai South Nassau has revealed widespread concern among New Yorkers regarding the nation’s preparedness for future health crises. The survey, titled “Truth in Medicine,” found that 44% of respondents believe the U.S. is unprepared for such emergencies.
Among the various health threats, 77% of those surveyed expressed concern about infectious diseases, such as measles, with 75% voicing worries about bird flu. Moreover, a significant 67% of participants expressed fears about affording healthcare for themselves and their families. This apprehension highlights the underlying issues surrounding access to healthcare amid rising costs and ongoing health challenges.
Despite the concerns, 40% of respondents felt that the nation is currently prepared to handle health crises. However, trust in government decisions regarding vaccines appears to be relatively solid, with 61% trusting vaccine guidance. In contrast, confidence in government advice on chronic disease prevention is much lower, with only 38% expressing trust in that area.
The poll gathered responses from 600 adults across Long Island and New York City from July 13-20, 2025. The poll was conducted via landlines and cell phones and was sponsored by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union. It highlights pressing health-related issues, including vaccine safety, mental health services accessibility, childhood obesity, substance abuse treatment, and the need to reduce reliance on processed foods.
Financial issues are also a significant concern among residents. The poll indicates that 67% of New Yorkers worry about their ability to afford healthcare, while 65% support government initiatives aimed at ensuring access to affordable healthcare. The current insurance landscape shows that 8% of survey participants reported being uninsured, with 36% holding private insurance. Additionally, 17% are insured through the Affordable Care Act, and 25% rely on Medicare or Medicaid.
Among insured respondents, 80% expressed satisfaction with their coverage, and 76% were content with their prescription drug costs. On the other hand, nearly half of the uninsured individuals—49%—attributed their lack of coverage to costs being too high. Other reasons for being uninsured included a lack of employer offerings (26%), a belief that insurance is unnecessary (15%), and not knowing how to obtain insurance (6%).
The poll underscores the urgent need for improved access to affordable health insurance, particularly in light of impending changes to New York’s Essential Plan due to $7.5 billion in federal cuts. These changes are expected to eliminate coverage for approximately 450,000 individuals, which would significantly impact around 1.3 million residents of New York.
Healthcare professionals have weighed in on the findings, emphasizing the importance of trust in vaccine efficacy and the impact of health insurance on healthcare security and outcomes. The data from this poll serves as a vital indicator of public opinion surrounding health preparedness and the challenges faced by New Yorkers in accessing affordable health care in the shifting landscape of health policy.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The New York Times: NYC Mental Health 911
- Wikipedia: Mental Health
- Crain’s New York: NYC Settles with Purdue Pharma
- Google Search: Opioid Crisis
- AM New York: Behavioral Health Crisis
- Google Scholar: Behavioral Health
- ABC7 NY: NYC Patient Beds Decreasing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Healthcare
- City & State NY: Maternal Health Crisis
- Google News: Maternal Health
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
