The news: The majority of US adults aren’t confident that federal health agencies can ensure the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs and vaccines, according to the KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust.

Digging into the data: Americans’ lack of confidence in health agencies cuts across political party lines.

• Only 47% of Democrats and 50% of Republicans believe federal health agencies like the FDA and CDC can guarantee the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs.
• 52% of Democrats and 43% of Republicans trust agencies regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
• Even fewer US adults—39% of Democrats and 46% of Republicans—trust health agencies’ responses to disease outbreaks like measles and bird flu.