Swine Flu Outbreaks Cause Concern among U.S. Physicians

- Over half of physicians say there is a risk for a catastrophic pandemic -

FLEMINGTON, N.J., April 28 /PRNewswire/ — A new national study among 1,039 physicians revealed that a majority of physicians (63%) reported that there is some level of risk that the Swine Flu will result in a worldwide catastrophic pandemic.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO )

The study was conducted by HCD Research and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) on April 27, to obtain physicians’ perceptions of the recent news that The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention has declared a public health emergency in regard to Swine Influenza (Swine Flu). To view detailed results go to: www.hcdi.net or www.mediacurves.com.

When asked to rate the U.S. Government’s level of preparedness to deal with a Swine Flu pandemic, 15% of physicians reported that the government was prepared to deal with a pandemic. Less than one-quarter of physicians (21%) reported that the U.S. Government was not prepared for a pandemic. A similar percentage of physicians (22%) were either concerned or extremely concerned that the virus would have an impact on their families, and 16% were not concerned that it would have an impact on their families

Among the findings:

On a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 indicates that your belief that the current situation has a no risk of resulting in a catastrophic pandemic (a large number of deaths worldwide) and 7 indicates an extremely high risk, please rate how risky you believe a swine flu epidemic to be. Indicate your prediction regarding the outcome of potential situation.

                                                    Total
                                                  (n=1,039)
    1 - No Risk                                      1%
    2 - Low Risk                                    13%
    Bottom 2                                        14%
    3 - Somewhat Low Risk                           14%
    4 - Neither At Risk or Not At Risk               9%
    5 - Somewhat At Risk                            49%
    Top 2                                           14%
    6 - High Risk                                   12%
    7 - Extremely High Risk                          2%

Using a similar scale, where 1 indicates that the government is unprepared for a pandemic and 7 indicates that the government is extremely prepared; please rate our government’s ability to prepare for a possible pandemic.

                                                   Total
                                                 (n=1,039)
    1 - Not At All Prepared                          5%
    2 - Not Prepared                                16%
    Bottom 2                                        21%
    3 - Somewhat Not Prepared                       16%
    4 - Neutral                                     12%
    5 - Somewhat Prepared                           36%
    Top 2                                           15%
    6 - Prepared                                    14%
    7 - Completely Prepared                          1%

Based on what you may or may not already know about the swine flu cases originating from Mexico, please indicate your level of concern regarding whether this virus will have an impact on you and your family using a scale from 1 to 7. 1 indicates you have no concern and 7 indicates you are extremely concerned.

                                                   Total
                                                 (n=1,039)
    1 - Not At All Concerned                         3%
    2 - Not Concerned                               12%
    Bottom 2                                        15%
    3 - Somewhat Not Concerned                      11%
    4 - Neutral                                     12%
    5 - Somewhat Concerned                          41%
    Top 2                                           21%
    6 - Concerned                                   18%
    7 - Extremely Concerned                          4%

HCD Research is a communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company’s services include traditional and web-based communications research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393. Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, MCIPO is a respected source of public opinion data on local, state and national issues. For additional information on Muhlenberg College, go to www.muhlenberg.edu

SOURCE HCD Research