Since July 2020, the WHY Group has kept a monthly pulse on how people are feeling and engaging amid economic and political turmoil, COVID-19, social injustice, and beyond. At the end of 2022, our report uncovered the issues that were top-of-mind for Americans at the time. 

The Current: Concerns of 2023 marks the second iteration of this analysis and reveals the key issues at the forefront of people’s minds as we enter 2024.

What we found:

• A shift from we to me: People’s attention shifted away from big-picture societal concerns and toward everyday individual issues, like data privacy and healthcare affordability.

• Macroeconomic concerns level out: Inflation is no longer at its 2022 peak, but people are continuing to feel financial strain due to the higher costs of their daily purchases.

• Polarizing issues gain prominence ahead of election: Politically divisive issues like gun control and climate change have risen in importance as media focus, current events, and ongoing policy changes have brought them to the forefront leading into the election. 

For the full report, click ‘Download PDF‘ below.