A new poll shows nearly three-quarters of those who do not have confidence in public health agencies cite political influence as the key reason for the distrust.

The survey shows 74% of the 803 people who expressed low trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited political influence on their recommendations and policies as the reason, per a study published in Health Affairs.

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Other top reasons for distrust included 73% who cited the agency giving too many conflicting recommendations, 60% who cited concerns about private sector influence on recommendations, 51% who cited not consistently following scientific research, 44% who cited recommendations as being too restrictive, and 39% who said they do not trust the government in general.

The study was published Monday but was conducted in February 2022, using 4,208 adults. The CDC came under intense scrutiny during the pandemic for its sometimes conflicting guidance and accusations by some lawmakers that it let special interest groups, such as teachers unions, tailor COVID-19 guidelines.

The study also found that those who had high trust in the CDC cited its expertise and its adherence to valid scientific research as the top reasons for their confidence in the agency.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky began to restructure the agency in January, creating a director for external affairs position and establishing an Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance and Technology to monitor public health threats. The government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic is under the microscope of a new House select committee examining the origins of COVID-19.