Writing About Issues

Issues are things people are concerned about, and they are often a big part of the news. When writing about issues, it is important to choose a topic that fits the needs of your readers and will have a positive impact on them.

Affordability of health care

Two-thirds of Americans say affordability of healthcare is a very big problem for the country today. This is the most common problem cited by both Democrats and Republicans, though more than half of all adults say it is a moderately big problem (26%) or not a problem at all (26%).

Drug addiction

Nearly six-in-ten Americans say drug addiction is a very big problem for the country, while fewer than a third view it as a minor concern or not a problem at all. Among both parties, views on this issue differ by age and ethnicity.

Illegal immigration

In general, older adults are more likely to regard illegal immigration as a major problem than younger people. But even among young Republicans, only about a quarter of them cite this as a very big problem.

Terrorism

Almost as many adults age 65 and older as younger ones say terrorism is a very big problem for the country. But only about a third of those ages 30 to 49 and about a quarter of those ages 20 to 29 say the same.

Climate change

About a third of adults say climate change is a very big problem for the country, compared with about 15% of those ages 30 to 49 and about 27% of those ages 20 to 29. Unlike other issues, views on this matter vary significantly by partisan affiliation. Those leaning Democratic are more likely to consider this a very big problem, while those leaning Republican are more likely to consider it a modest concern.