But as the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the globe, the greatest threat named by Americans in a recent Pew Research Center survey is the spread of infectious diseases. 98% of US adults say this is at least a minor threat, with roughly 80% naming outbreaks of disease as a major threat to the country.

Concerns about the condition of the global economy and global poverty also saw increases during the field period. These are among the major findings of the Pew Research Center survey of 1,000 US adults conducted by telephone from March 3-29, 2020.