A survey of public attitudes toward epilepsy in 1979 with an indication of trends over the past thirty years.

At 5 years intervals, during the past 30 years, the American Institute of Public Opinion has obtained answers to questions about epilepsy from representative members of the adult population throughout the United States. During this period, knowledge of epilepsy was found in 90 to 95% of the people interviewed. When those familiar with epilepsy were asked if they would object to their children playing with epileptics, the upward trend in those without objections from 1949 to 1979 was 57%, 68%, 67%, 77%, 81%, 84%, 89%. When asked if they thought epilepsy was a form of insanity, the trend in those who did not was: 59%, 68%, 74%, 79%, 81%, 86%, 92%. When asked if epileptics should be employed, the affirmative answers increased with the following variations: 45%, 60%, 75%, 82%, 76%, 81%, 79%. The adverse responses were proportionately reduced. In each of the seven surveys, the most favorable opinion was among the better educated, better employed, younger, and urban members of the population. The states in the eastern, midwestern, and western regions initially showed less prejudice than those in the southern region. Now there is greater uniformity in opinion throughout the nation. Factors that have contributed to the more enlightened opinion include educational efforts by professional and lay societies regarding epilepsy; improved control of seizures; employment by a number of major industries of individuals with a history of attacks; and more reasonable legal regulations concerning immigration, marriage, and the operation of motor vehicles.