Poll: 4 in 10 call gas prices a crisis

PRINCETON, N.J., May 1 (UPI) -- A vast majority of U.S. residents surveyed in a Gallup poll indicated gas prices are a major problem with 42 percent indicating prices represent a crisis.

In a survey released Thursday, Gallup said 42 percent of 1,008 respondents indicated gas prices had reached a crisis level, while another 51 percent indicated it was a major problem.

The rising cost of healthcare was second on the list of personal finance issues with 83 percent indicating the issue was a major concern or had reached a crisis level.

The declining value of the dollar was third at 80 percent, followed by the housing market, rising food prices, wages falling behind inflation and job losses.

The poll was conducted April 25-27, and carries a margin of error of 3 percentage points, Gallup said.