# Americans say the federal government holds the most sway over urban health equity

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/health/americans-say-the-federal-government-holds-the-most-sway-over-urban-health-equity/

> Indexed question in Health.

## Reading

No single actor dominates Americans' view of who shapes health equity for urban residents: the federal government ranks first at 25%, just ahead of state (21%) and city government (17%), according to a November 2025 Verasight survey.

Another 16% aren't sure, and smaller shares point to health care institutions (10%), city residents (6%), or non-profit, advocacy and grassroots organizations (5%).

## Topline

In your opinion, who has the most power in shaping health equity for urban residents?

Americans say the federal government holds the most sway over urban health equity.

- Federal government: 24.8%
- State government: 21.2%
- City government: 17.2%
- I don't know: 15.8%
- Health care institutions: 9.7%
- City residents: 6.4%
- Non-profit, advocacy and grassroots organizations: 4.9%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2025-11-14 → 2025-11-20
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.2%
- Module: Module 2
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/verasight-apha-2025#power-dynamics-in-shaping-health-equity-for-urban-residents](https://reports.verasight.io/r/verasight-apha-2025#power-dynamics-in-shaping-health-equity-for-urban-residents)

## Citation

Verasight APHA Omnibus Survey #2025-148, fielded November 14-20, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/verasight-apha-2025#power-dynamics-in-shaping-health-equity-for-urban-residents](https://reports.verasight.io/r/verasight-apha-2025#power-dynamics-in-shaping-health-equity-for-urban-residents)