Making the grade

How does the public perceive government agencies? Harris has been conducting a poll since 2000 on that very issue, and here are the latest results.

It is interesting to note that CDC, the government agency charged with administering 5 a Day and the Fruit and veggies: More Matters campaign, thankfully has the highest ratings. 90% of Americans think they know what CDC does, and 84% approve.

While you might think the IRS is the lowest rated agency, think again. At 40%, the Social Security Administration was far below the tax agency's 55% approval rating. The USDA slides in at 73% approval and the FDA was 62% positive; in my mind, both agencies could take PR hits this year with elevated awareness of big farm subsidies during the farm bill debate at USDA and food safety failings with FDA.

Speaking of FDA, here is a link to a news release about the FDA 2008 budget, which notes increased funding for faster tracking of pathogens.