‘Foreign Relations’ Top Concern Among Influential Americans.

According to new data from NOP World’s Roper Public Affairs, foreign relations ranks as the number one concern among “Influential Americans” — the 10% of the population who drive what the other 90% think, do and buy.

More than half (52%) of Influential Americans say they are “personally concerned” about United States foreign relations, hitting an all time high, up from 45% in 2004, 40% in 2003 and 28% in 2002. In fact, Influential Americans are nearly twice as likely to be concerned about foreign affairs as the general population.

“Influential Americans are exactly the people who Senators and Congressmen hear from first, which could be one reason Senators are taking a closer look at the pending nomination of a US ambassador to the United Nations,” says Brad Fay, Managing Director of NOP World’s Roper Public Affairs. “In three decades of research, this is the highest level of concern about the state of our foreign relations we’ve seen among these vocal Influential Americans.”

“Americans typically do not show a great deal of concern about international affairs,” added Annie Weber, Director of Roper’s Washington, D.C. office. “This new data for Influential Americans suggest that could change, as this segment tends to drive word-of-mouth and future trends.”

Rising Healthcare Costs Major Concern for General Public

Among the general public, the rising cost of healthcare is the number one issue, with 43% saying they are “personally concerned” about this issue. Interestingly, the same percentage of Influential Americans also worries about increasing healthcare costs, but the issue ranks second behind foreign affairs.

Concerns about healthcare costs have been gradually increasing for the general public over the last five years. For example, 39% of Americans were concerned in 2004, up from 36% in 2003, and 31% in 2002.

Apprehension about healthcare costs has been generally rising for Influential Americans(R) as well, peaking at 49% in 2004, up from 39% in 2003, and 38% in 2002.

Terrorism Still Top of Mind for Both Groups

Although the numbers have dropped from a high of 61% for the general public and 45% for Influential Americans in 2003, terrorism still ranks as the third most pressing concern for both groups. Today, 37% of Influential Americans are concerned about terrorism versus 41% of the general public.

Since the aftermath of September 11, 2001, both groups have ranked terrorism among the top five issues facing the country.

Influential Americans and the General Population Both Worry About Breakdown of Families

Concerns about the breakdown of the family are also increasing among both Influential Americans and the general public, rising from 30% in 2004 to 36% in 2005 for the Influential Americans, and 25% in 2004 to 29% in 2005 for the general public.

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