Three companion surveys by the Kaiser Family Foundation, conducted in collaboration with Public Perspective magazine, give new insight into how the public, policy leaders and media professionals view public opinion polls. The surveys show that while policy leaders and journalists see polls as an effective tool for giving the public a voice in the policymaking process, the public itself is more skeptical. The discussions of the surveys in Public Perspective also explore the extent to which the public feels it actually has input in the policymaking process. The polls are featured in the July/August 2001 issue of Public Perspective along with expert commentary on the subject.

News Release (.pdf)

Toplines/Survey (.pdf)

Chart Pack (.pdf)

Public Perspective

How Accessible is Individual Health Insurance for Consumers in Less-Than-Perfect Health?

This report documents the findings of a study examining access to health insurance coverage in the individual market for people with health problems. Seven hypothetical consumers with varying health conditions were defined and insurers and HMOs in eight different markets around the country were asked to consider them as though they were real consumers applying for coverage.

Executive Summary (.pdf)

Full Report

A Leadership Forum convened by The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, The Ford Foundation, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, New York, NY

A Leadership Forum on HIV Prevention took place in New York immediately preceding the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, held June 25-27, 2001. Organized as a congregation of top international leaders, policymakers and program planners in the global effort against HIV, the meeting focused attention on the resources needed to more effectively curtail the global HIV pandemic. The forum reviewed the fundamental role of prevention in the fight against HIV and identified the principles of effective prevention programs globally. The meeting also explored the barriers to prevention and discussed funding needs and prevention priorities for the future.

• View the webcast of this event
• Fact Sheet: The HIV/AIDS Pandemic: The Case for Prevention
• Full Report: The HIV/AIDS Pandemic: The Case for Prevention
• Fact Sheet: The Cost-Effectiveness of HIV Prevention in Developing Countries
• Full Report: The Cost-Effectiveness of HIV Prevention in Developing Countries
• Fact Sheet: Global Spending on HIV/AIDS
• Full Report: Global Spending on HIV/AIDS
• Fact Sheet: In Search of the Magic Bullet: Evaluating and Replicating Prevention Programs
• Full Report: In Search of the Magic Bullet: Evaluating and Replicating Prevention Programs
• Key Recommendations at the Leadership Forum on HIV Prevention
• Program
• Participants List

This report documents the findings of a study examining access to health insurance coverage in the individual market for people with health problems. Seven hypothetical consumers with varying health conditions were defined and insurers and HMOs in eight different markets around the country were asked to consider them as though they were real consumers applying for coverage.

• Report

A new chart book examines Fiscal Year 2002 budget proposals by President Bush and Congress, focusing on their impact on health programs. It provides both an examination of how health care programs fit into the overall U.S. budget and a review of past budget trends and future projections for government health care programs.

• Chartbook

This report documents the findings of a study examining access to health insurance coverage in the individual market for people with health problems. Seven hypothetical consumers with varying health conditions were defined and insurers and HMOs in eight different markets around the country were asked to consider them as though they were real consumers applying for coverage.

Renewed debate over proposals to expand coverage for the uninsured using tax credits for the purchase of individual market insurance has prompted some to re-evaluate and comment on the findings of this study. Due to this recent interest, we have prepared an explanation of the purpose and findings of the original study which is posted below.

May 2002 Explanation of Purpose and Findings in Response to Renewed Debate (.pdf)News Release (.pdf)Executive Summary (.pdf)Report (.pdf)Chart Pack(.pdf)

A photographic journey

One of the world’s most celebrated war photographers, Mr. Don McCullin in August last year traveled to southern Africa to see for himself the human devastation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “I thought I had seen everything, but really, I was not prepared for this” says McCullin.

Tracking Public and Private Investments in AIDS Prevention, Care, and Research Report (pdf.)

Fact Sheet (pdf.)

Ever seen a condom advertised on TV? Up until a few years ago, the answer was almost always “no.” But condoms and other topics once considered “taboo” are beginning to make an appearance on the small screen. A number of leading broadcast networks, as well as cable channels have in recent years quietly let go of long-standing policies prohibiting contraceptive commercials. But several others still prohibit advertising for condoms – even though they accept ads for other types of birth control – and those that do run condom commercials often have restrictions about when and how they may be advertised.

What is behind these shifting policies? What has been the experience of those networks that now allow condom ads? Why do some other networks feel comfortable with increasingly sexual programming, but not with condom commercials? How do viewers really feel about condom ads on TV? How much influence does advertising have on the use and choice of contraception? On attitudes toward safer sex?

These are the questions discussed at the Emerging Issues in Reproductive Health Briefing on Tuesday, June 19th in New York City. Vicky Rideout, Vice President for the Study of Entertainment Media and Health, Kaiser Family Foundation discussed network policies as well as presented new findings on public attitudes toward condom advertising. Ms. Rideout moderated a discussion with a panel of experts including Susan Kannel, Senior analyst, Social Policy Research Institute; Richard Kline, Vice President for Marketing, Carter Products, Carter-Wallace, Inc.; Rick Mater, Senior Vice President, Broadcast Standards, The WB Television Network; and Thomas J. Coates, PhD, Director, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California at San Francisco.

New data on public attitudes toward condom advertising was released.

• Press Release: Public and Networks Getting Comfortable With Condom Advertising on TV

Health News Index May/June, 2001

The May/June 2001 edition of the Health News Index includes questions about major health stories covered in the news, including the Supreme Court ruling regarding the distribution of medical marijuana and the debate in Congress over a Patients Bill of Rights. This edition also includes findings on public support for certain prescription allergy medicines being sold over the counter.

The Health News Index is designed to help the news media and people in the health field gain a better understanding of which health news stories Americans are following and what they understand about those issues. Every two months, Kaiser/Harvard issues a new index report.

• HNI May-June 2001
• Topline/Survey