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According to a new survey by Reworld Media Connect, the French population seems fairly well informed about their own health and increasingly concerned about prevention.
We talk about health a lot (especially in our pages) but are we sufficiently aware of the news to apply the right advice, make the right choices and stay in top shape? We are on the right track, according to a new survey published on June 13 by Reworld Media Connect on more than 1,300 French people.
French people aware of the importance of good health
First good news, the majority of respondents admit to being concerned about their health and see it as a priority.
- 87% of French people say they take care of themselves and their health, and listen to their bodies;
- 8 out of 10 French people say they are rarely sick, proof that they take good care of themselves.
- A motivation that may come from a fear: 53% of respondents fear on the contrary to be sick… Which would undoubtedly boost their good habits.
In this context, the French also know how to cite individual behaviors that are bad for health: an unbalanced diet, lack of physical activity or addictions. This does not mean that they always make the right choices, however they remain aware of the dangers that surround them such as obesity, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
The general practitioner first point of contact
Nevertheless, the first reflex of the French in the event of a health problem remains to seek advice from their general practitioner for 45% of respondents. But nearly a third (30%) admit that they take a medicine they have at home. Friends (9%) and internet (8%) come next, ahead of the pharmacist (6%), with some differences according to age.
The other professionals most often consulted are after the general practitioner, the dentist, the ophthalmologist, the physiotherapist/osteopath, the gynecologist and the cardiologist.
The French pay attention to prevention
The other important information from this survey is the reception of prevention messages by the French population. Thus, 86% of French people say they pay attention to prevention issues, especially parents. According to the survey, a balanced diet (87%), medical examinations and screenings (85%) and the impact of pollution (84%) are the three priority areas in which the French are concentrating their efforts.
Nearly 8 out of 10 French people would consider the prevention campaigns understandable and claim to be sufficiently informed. What is felt in their lifestyle: 85% of respondents say they consume alcohol moderately, 78% say they eat a balanced diet and 71% say they sleep at least 7 hours a night.
On the other hand, on the prevention messages themselves, they recognize that progress can be made: 63% believe that there are too many slogans, which confuses the message; 46% believe that prevention is too anxiety-provoking and 41% too guilty. Progress can still be made.