New survey identifies America’s health priorities: Obesity, cancer cures, senior care

A new survey commissioned by a pharmaceutical industry trade group found that 86 percent of Americans believe developing cures for more forms of cancer should be one of the top national health priorities.

That was followed by developing effective treatments for heart disease (78 percent) in second and more intensive medical care for seniors (76 percent) in third. These findings are the result of a new annual “From Hope to Cures” survey, commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which explores Americans’ attitudes on personal health and medical issues.

“A patient-centric dialogue is crucial to improving health outcomes,” John J. Castellani, president and CEO of PhRMA, said in a news release. “The health survey findings will help also inform efforts to address major health challenges such as chronic disease, improved prevention and wellness activities and enhanced patient adherence to prescribed therapies.”

The survey, conducted by Hart Research Associates, polled 1,219 Americans. The key findings include the following:

·      Obesity, diet, and weight management topped the list of Americans’ biggest personal health concerns.

·      Beyond the top three national health priorities of survey respondents, cited above, 74 of participants said addressing obesity should be a top priority.

·      57 percent of survey respondents say they pay attention to eating a healthy diet; 54 percent to maintaining a healthy weight; 45 percent focus on reducing stress; and 41 percent pay attention to staying informed about health guidelines and recommendations.

·      65 percent of respondents project that they will live longer than the national average (79 years) and 80 percent of participants project that future generations will live beyond age 80.

The survey also queried Americans’ knowledge and experience with clinical trials, with more than 65 percent recognizing this research as “extremely important,” according to PhRMA. But, only one in five Americans had some personal knowledge of clinical trials. This discrepancy points to the need for more education to understand the role of clinical trials in the discovery of new medicines and how clinical-trial participation helps patients and science, PhRMA contends.

While those surveyed are optimistic about their own health and that of their families, they are significantly less positive about the health of the average American. Just 18 percent of survey respondents said it was a great or good health year for Americans, while 78 percent characterized their own health as good or excellent.

“While a majority of Americans say that they have had a great or good year in terms of their personal health, it is significant that more than a third of all adults in the country say this year has been ‘just okay’ for them, or less good than that health-wise, and there is a real focus on the challenges of obesity and maintaining a healthy weight. But even with these challenges, Americans are still optimistic that we will continue an upward trend line of longer life expectancy in the decades ahead,” Geoff Garin, president of Hart Research Associates, said in the release.

The full survey findings are available at: www.phrma.org.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America represents biopharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested about $550 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, including an estimated $48.5 billion in 2012, the group said in the release.