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You've probably already seen this via its extensive news coverage and on social media, but if not then take a peek at this mammoth global monitor of how people think and feel about science and major health challenges.

You've possibly come across the UK version of this survey before, but this is the first time the Monitor has gone global - spanning 140 countries and surveying over 140,000 people. 

There are some interesting headlines, including:

  • Doctors and nurses are most trusted for health advice, 73% of people worldwide would trust a doctor or nurse more than any other source of health advice, including family, friends, religious leaders or famous people.
  • Overall, 72% of people globally trust scientists.
  • Worldwide, 79% of people agree that vaccines are safe and 84% agree that they are effective. There are striking differences in how different regions feel - you'll possibly have seen, for example, that France has the lowest trust in vaccines of European countries, whilst of the globe, Bangladesh and Rwanda have the strongest confidence in vaccines.
  • Men are more likely to claim greater knowledge of science than women. This gender gap exists even when men and women report equal levels of science attainment.

Don't have time to wade through reports? They've not only produced a series of infographics, but they've also created short summaries in video form, for example:

But we know context is everything, and the report picks out some of the interesting differences - particularly picking up on how relative income levels play a role in people lives in a multitude of ways, and therefore their thoughts and feelings on various topics. What's more, you can pick through the data for yourself, filtering down to individual countries and interrogating the data through comparisons you choose. So that's the afternoon sorted then...

"Wellcome Global Monitor presents an unprecedented view of the relationship between science and society worldwide. No matter how great your idea, how exciting your new treatment, or how robust your science, it must be accepted by the people who stand to benefit from it. Vaccines, for example, are one of our most powerful public health tools, and we need people to have confidence in them if they are to be most effective."

Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome

Read the summaries and reports here