Community Impact Drives Trust in Children's Hospitals

Public confidence is being tested across the health care system.

Data from a 2025 consumer trust survey shows only 34% of respondents believe hospitals put patients over profits. The national survey, conducted by Jarrard, a Chartis Company, reveals a dramatic shift from 2021 when nearly 80% believed hospitals put patients over profit.

However, the 2025 survey response was about all types of hospitals.

When specifically asking about children’s hospitals, the results looked different, with 75% of those surveyed believing pediatric hospitals put patients first — a major difference from the broader health care industry.

Another 80% said they trust children’s hospitals with the health of kids in their communities.

While many hospitals provide some pediatric care, children’s hospitals distinguish themselves by focusing on the needs of children in their programming, support services, staff, and facility design.

But stakes for pediatric care are rising, making the mission and image of children’s hospitals more vital.

“We know brands are built on trust, and they are lost on trust as well,” said Kelly Kavanaugh, vice president and chief strategy officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital. “You break trust, and you’ve got a long way to go to build it back up.”

The work beyond hospital walls

Children’s hospitals are deeply involved in their communities and offer far more than acute medical care.

They address root causes of health conditions in their communities and the places children and their families live, work, and learn.

“You can’t really reinvent the path to children’s health without being embedded in the communities you serve,” Kavanaugh said.

The public supports children’s hospitals’ involvement in issues locally that are frequently in the national spotlight. The Jarrard survey showed:

• 81% said children’s hospitals should be involved in mental health.
• 69% said children’s hospitals should address issues related to food insecurity.
• 54% want children’s hospitals to address gun violence.

Yet only 55% of people said they were aware of the work children’s hospitals lead in preventive care and mental health services.

The full story of impact

Nearly 40% of respondents were not sure children’s hospitals were doing enough to justify their nonprofit status. Only four in 10 people had seen or heard positive news about children’s hospitals.

These factors may hold people back from believing pediatric institutions provide enough community benefit.

This makes storytelling a critical strategy for marketing, philanthropy, and advocacy teams working together.

It also spotlights an important opportunity to collaborate with partners across sectors to amplify impact. “There is simply no way we can accomplish our vision if we are only focused on clinical care, and no way we can do it alone. We must engage with our community,” said Bridget Clementi, vice president of community health at Children’s Wisconsin.

An analysis revealed five aspects that most drive the perception of community benefit:

• Training doctors and nurses
• Financial assistance
• Healthy food
• Nutrition and physical education classes
• Housing services

After respondents were surveyed on children’s hospitals’ community health programming in these areas, 71% of respondents agreed children’s hospitals provide enough community benefit to keep their nonprofit status.

The more the public knows about community impact, the more people will value and advocate for the unique role of children’s hospitals.

A call to protect pediatric care

Children’s hospitals hold a special place in people’s hearts, but public perception can shift quickly.

They need to protect community trust and further share their community impact, innovations, and successes.

Watch the Children’s Hospital Association’s webinar, “Confidence in Care: Understanding Public Trust in Children’s Hospitals,” to learn more about how to strengthen trust and goodwill in today’s challenging policy environment.