Is there a word for this concept (related to awareness)?

Solution 1:

Some options are:

• "X is a topic that engages the population"
• "X is a topic that speaks to the population"
• "X is a topic that interests the population"
• "X is a topic that matters to the population"

Solution 2:

If you are willing to change your sample sentence a bit, I suggest either of these captures the concept:

X is a topic on the public's mind.

or

X is a topic on people's minds.

on someone's mind

occupying someone's thoughts Collins

These go further than simply being of interest.

And Texas has big business on its mind. Home to 36 of the Fortune 500 companies, it is considered the energy capital of the world. Black Enterprise, Vol 24, no. 11 p.192 (1994)

And of course "Georgia on My Mind" by Ray Charles.