Issues that Matter Most to Mothers
July 31, 2024
Rapid Poll

From January through July 2024, Count on Mothers identified the issues mothers most want federal policymakers to address related to their children's health and safety. The two-stage study began with an open-ended question to mothers over six months, then tested the emerging themes through a structured follow-up survey of mothers across regions and the political spectrum. Five issues consistently rose to the top — substance use, abortion and reproductive health, healthcare access and cost, food access and nutrition, and childcare affordability — with striking consistency across geography, education, and ideology in both what mothers prioritize and the underlying stresses shaping family life.

Related themes:

Shared Priorities and Cross-Partisan Alignment Among Mothers

  • Five issues consistently rise to the top — substance use or abuse, abortion and reproductive health, healthcare access and cost, food access and nutrition, and childcare affordability and quality — as the most pressing issues affecting families nationwide.
  • At least 8 in 10 mothers report concern about substance use or abuse in their family or community — the most widely shared issue in the sample.
  • Healthcare, food, and childcare cause widespread stress. Roughly 7 in 10 mothers say healthcare issues have caused stress or harm in their family; 77% cite food access, cost, or nutrition as a major concern; and at least 6 in 10 report stress related to childcare access, cost, or quality.
  • Financial stress is the most common underlying barrier across families. Across open-ended responses, financial stress emerged as the single most frequently cited barrier — regardless of family size — followed by work-life balance and flexible employment challenges.
  • Shared emotional strain across ideologies. Mothers across political backgrounds expressed a common feeling of falling short — financially, emotionally, or socially — highlighting shared pressure despite differing circumstances or beliefs.

Source: Count on Mothers, Issues that Matter Most to Mothers, July 2024. Two-stage study: open-ended responses collected from the Count on Mothers community panel (January–June 2024), followed by a nationally representative survey of U.S. mothers, n=593, weighted across political ideology and region (July 2024). Research led by a PhD-credentialed researcher and an MPH data scientist.

Research Library

Explore Count on Mothers reports — rapid polls and in-depth national studies.

Methodology
Count on Mothers conducts nationally representative research with U.S. mothers, weighted to reflect the population and reported in aggregate. Research is led by a PhD + MPH team. Findings have informed policy, industry, and media, and entered the Congressional Record on childcare, paid leave, and technology policy.
In-depth

AI & Child Safety: Mothers' Views on a Rising Influence in Kids' Lives

In January 2026, Count on Mothers released findings from a nationally representative study of mothers across regions and the political spectrum on artificial intelligence's impact on children across home, school, and social settings — conducted in research collaboration with academic partners at the University of Chicago and University College London. Mothers assess potential risks, transparency gaps, and the need for institutional safeguards as AI becomes embedded in children's everyday environments. Findings describe a consistent message across political ideology, region, and education level: mothers are deeply concerned about AI's impact on children and overwhelmingly believe current deployments lack adequate protections.
January 16, 2026
View Report →
In-depth

Pulse Check 2025: Mothers on Child Mental Health Impacts, Care, and Support

In September 2025, Count on Mothers released findings from a nationally representative study of mothers across regions and the political spectrum on children's mental health needs, access to care, and family experiences navigating support systems. The study examines mothers' firsthand observations at home, in schools, and in healthcare settings to identify gaps in care and practical paths forward. Findings underscore the scale of unmet need, the central role of cost and insurance barriers, and the importance of school-based and family-centered solutions.
September 17, 2025
View Report →
In-depth

From the Heart of American Families: Assessing Mothers' Views on Recent Policy Actions

This report presents mothers’ views on early federal policy actions under the 2025 Administration, drawing on survey responses from 2,888 mothers across the United States collected between April and June 2025. Mothers rated their level of satisfaction and shared open-ended reflections based on lived experience. Findings reveal low overall approval, with economic pressures emerging as the dominant driver of dissatisfaction across political and regional lines.
July 15, 2025
View Report →
In-depth

The Real Cost of Health Insurance: Exploring Critical Challenges for U.S. Families

In February 2025, Count on Mothers examined U.S. families' experiences with health insurance affordability, coverage, and access to care. Drawing on a nationally representative survey of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the study addressed five core questions: who drives healthcare decisions, rates of denied and delayed care, the administrative burden on families, differences between private and public insurance experiences, and the health and financial consequences for families. Findings describe systemic challenges in the current health insurance landscape — particularly among families with private insurance.
February 24, 2025
View Report →
To learn more about partnerships, visit Partner With Us
Exploring how independent benchmark data could inform your work?
Partner With Us