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Most favor more U.S. research spending

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A large majority of U.S. adults -- 86 percent -- say investing in health research is important for job creation and economic recovery, a survey indicates.

The survey, commissioned by Research!America, indicates 54 percent say research is part of the solution to rising healthcare costs, and 77 percent say the United States is losing its global competitive edge in science and innovation.

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Eighty-six percent of Americans say it's important to increase funding for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 79 percent want increased funding for the Food and Drug Administration and 75 percent for the National Institutes of Health.

"Unfortunately, many elected officials and candidates have failed to elevate these issues in their campaigns," said Mary Woolley, president of Research!America. "The poll underscores Americans' willingness to make research a high priority to address our economic and health challenges."

The poll finds:

-- 85 percent say research and innovation are important to their state economy.

-- 48 percent say there is not enough government investment in health research for the benefit of military veterans and service members.

-- 82 percent say it's important to conduct medical or health research to eliminate health disparities, with minorities having higher incidence of chronic diseases, higher mortality and poorer overall health outcomes.

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-- 61 percent favor expanding federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells.

The poll of 800 U.S. adults, conducted by JZ Analytics in October, has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

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