Awareness and Attitudes About Medical Aid in Dying in the U.S.
Author Information
Author(s): Kozlov Elissa, Nemeth Samuel, Luth Elizabeth
Primary Institution: Rutgers University
Hypothesis
What is the level of awareness of Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) laws and attitudes about MAID in the United States?
Conclusion
The study found a significant gap in public awareness of MAID laws, but overall attitudes towards MAID are mostly favorable.
Supporting Evidence
- 14.4% of respondents in MAID states knew that MAID was legal in their state.
- 30% of the full sample knew that MAID was legal anywhere in the U.S.
- 20% reported that MAID was not morally acceptable.
- 25% would probably or definitely not pursue MAID if faced with a terminal illness.
- 44% expressed support for MAID personally.
Takeaway
Many people don't know that they can get help to end their lives if they are very sick, but most people think it's okay to have that option.
Methodology
The study used mTurk and Prime Panels to collect a purposive national sample of people living in states with and without MAID laws.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent the views of all demographics since it oversampled certain groups.
Participant Demographics
The sample included diverse income, education, political affiliation, and religious representation, with an oversampling of adults over 60.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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