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At a time of national debate over health care costs and insurance, a Pew Research Center survey on end-of-life decisions finds most Americans say there are some circumstances in which doctors and nurses should allow a patient to die. At the same time, however, a growing minority says that medical professionals should do everything possible to save a patient’s life in all circumstances.

About the organization: Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research.

Keywords: End-of-life decisions, Medical treatments, Physician-assisted suicide, Suicide morality, Religious views on death, Health care costs, Patient care preferences, Moral rights, Incurable disease, Suffering and pain, Personal end-of-life choices, Public opinion trends, Survey findings, Ethnic and religious differences