3M launches State of Science Index 2022
According to 67 per cent of Indians, improving access to quality healthcare should be the number one priority for the country
The outlook for science is promising in India and despite the increase in skepticism (77 per cent) there is a high appreciation for science (93 per cent) and scientists (92 per cent) reports the 3M 2022 State of Science Index (SOSI). Indians believe in the role of science in their everyday lives (9 per cent) with many Indians expecting science to drive social impact, focusing on solutions for sustainability, health, and STEM equity challenges.
According to 67 per cent of Indians, improving access to quality healthcare should be the number one priority for the country. The top actions Indians believe that corporations should prioritise (beyond their core business purpose) is to healthcare entities to improve the quality of care (40 per cent) and collaborating to address the root causes of health issues within underserved and underrepresented communities (44 per cent).
According to SOSI respondents, healthcare is a key area where Indians are looking to science for solutions. Nearly one in every two Indians believe that beyond the current pandemic, science should prioritise cures for chronic diseases (50 per cent), cancer treatments (45 per cent), addressing mental and emotional health issues (41 per cent), vaccines for future pandemics (57 per cent) and addressing root causes/social drivers of health issues (44 per cent).