A new survey by the Public Affairs Council has found that a majority of Americans believe discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation and other factors is a problem and that businesses should do more to address the issue.

The telephone poll of 1,000 adults by Public Opinion Strategies and sponsored by PAC asked respondents to rate the severity of various forms of discrimination in modern society. Most people viewed racial or ethnic discrimination as a significant problem, with 74 percent calling it at least a "serious problem" and 37 percent saying it was a "very serious problem."

More than half of respondents said discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, gender and age were serious problems, although those figures plummeted when asked if they were very serious problems. Republicans were less likely than Democrats and independents to see discrimination as a problem in any of the areas.

Only one in three respondents said companies had played a positive role in addressing discrimination. However, more than half said they would have a more favorable opinion of companies that took steps to tackle the issue.

PAC is an association representing public affairs professionals. pac.org/pulse

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