Although the number of people with knowledge about the infection rose, the results demonstrate a continued need for further education and awareness among the public.
Image credit: PLF
The Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF) released results from a new survey today that showed that 54% of the respondents were unaware and had no knowledge of Clostridioides difficile. The silver lining was that there was a 6% increase in awareness of the infection from just a few years before. A similar question was part of a survey conducted by Prodege in 2021, and 60% of respondents reported having no knowledge of C difficile.
To read the survey's report, download the pdf at the bottom of this article, listed as "C Diff Awareness in America: 2025 YOUGOV Poll Results."
“We’re encouraged by the steady growth in awareness we’re seeing,” said Christian John Lillis, executive director of the Peggy Lillis Foundation, in a statement. “Every percentage-point increase demonstrates the impact of our efforts to educate the American public about C difficile. Awareness is the first step to prevention, and these results show that our work and efforts are making a measurable difference.”
PLF, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for C difficile education and advocacy, is releasing the results of its first nationwide survey to gauge public awareness of C difficile infections. The poll was commissioned by PLF and conducted by YouGov, an international online research data and analytics technology group. One thousand respondents from the United States participated.
Of those who reported having knowledge of the infection, 19% of participants mentioned they learned about C difficile through media coverage, including national health stories, public service campaigns, and patient advocacy initiatives. With PLF as the nationwide leader in C difficile education and advocacy, this underscores PLF’s impact on the media landscape in the 7 years since it launched its "See C difficile" public relations campaign.
54% of respondents reported no knowledge of C diff, down from 60% in 2021, showing measurable progress in public education.
Nearly 1 in 5 people who knew about C diff learned through media coverage or public campaigns, underscoring the impact of PLF’s initiatives.
Many still believe C diff only spreads in hospitals, despite CDC data showing nearly half of infections originate in community settings, highlighting the need for targeted education and policy advocacy.
The survey results also highlighted key gaps in public understanding. Despite increased familiarity, misconceptions about how C difficile spreads and who is at risk remain widespread. A majority of respondents who were aware of C difficile still associated it exclusively with hospital settings, when in reality, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that nearly half of C difficile infections originate in community settings, such as outpatient clinics and even households.
Learn more: Guideline vs Reality: Survey Results of Clinician Preferences in the Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Adults Highlight Barriers to Optimal Care
In response to these findings, PLF is using these data to shape new public awareness initiatives and strengthen its policy advocacy on behalf of patients and families affected by infectious diseases. By identifying where misconceptions persist, PLF can better equip communities with accurate and accessible information and push for stronger infection prevention policies and health care accountability nationwide.
"We view this poll not just as a snapshot of current awareness but as a road map for where we need to focus our efforts next," added Lillis. "From community education to legislative advocacy, these numbers will help us target the populations where increased knowledge can have the greatest impact."
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