In multiple national surveys, across multiple demographics, people support having options to end their suffering.
Steady Support Over Time
“When a person has a disease that cannot be cured…doctors should be allowed by law to end the patient’s life by some painless means if the patient and his or her family request it.” (Gallup Poll, 2018 – 2020)
| Yes | No | No Opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 74% | 25% | 1% |
| 2019 | 68% | 30% | 2% |
| 2018 | 72% | 27% | 1% |
Support Across Different Races
“When a person has a disease that cannot be cured…doctors should be allowed by law to end the patient’s life by some painless means if the patient and his or her family request it.” (Gallup Poll, May 2020)
| White | Non-white | |
|---|---|---|
| Agree | 77% | 65% |
Support Across Different Age Groups
“When a person has a disease that cannot be cured…doctors should be allowed by law to end the patient’s life by some painless means if the patient and his or her family request it.” (Gallup Poll, May 2020)
| Age | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agree | 77% | 29% | 68% |
Support Across Different Political Affiliations
“When a person has a disease that cannot be cured…doctors should be allowed by law to end the patient’s life by some painless means if the patient and his or her family request it.” (Gallup Poll, May 2020)
| Democrats / Democratic-leaning independents | Republicans/ Republican-leaning independents | |
|---|---|---|
| Agree | 85% | 69% |
Support Across Different Politial Ideologies
“When a person has a disease that cannot be cured…doctors should be allowed by law to end the patient’s life by some painless means if the patient and his or her family request it.” (Gallup Poll, May 2020)
| Liberal | Moderate | Conservative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agree | 87% | 80% | 57% |
Support Across Multiple Religious Affiliations
“When a person is facing a terminal disease, it is morally acceptable to ask for a physician’s aid in taking his or her own life.” (LifeWay Research, September-October 2016)
| Catholics | Christian | Protestants | Nonreligious | Other Religions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agree | 70% | 59% | 53% | 84% | 70% |
