For two years, health authorities will conduct a vast survey to assess the level of physical activity, eating habits and the frequency of chronic diseases among the French.
- The Albane survey aims to observe the state of health of the French, in order to guide the decisions of public authorities concerning health policies.
- More than 3,000 people will be drawn at random from 160 survey areas distributed randomly across the country to respond to the survey.
- The first results of this survey will be available from 2027.
From this Monday, September 16, Public Health France and the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) are starting the Albane national survey, which consists of analyzing the state of health of the French. The objective is then to “to produce recommendations and guide actions aimed at better protecting health at every stage of life.”
What are the objectives of the Albane survey?
Repeated every two years, this system targets the general population residing in mainland France, including Corsica, and aged 0 to 79. “Each two-year cycle allows for the inclusion of a sample of 150 young children aged 0 to 2 years, 1,000 children aged 3 to 17 years and 2,000 adults aged 18 to 79 years. These participants will be drawn at random from approximately 160 survey areas distributed randomly across the territory.we can read in a press release of Public Health France.
Studying the health status of the French population helps guide public authorities’ decisions regarding health and prevention policies. Regular surveys therefore make it possible to observe the eating habits and physical activity levels of the French, or to determine the frequency of chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, obesity or high blood pressure. This type of system also makes it possible to assess exposure to chemical substances (pesticides, bisphenols, phthalates, etc.).
The Albane survey will therefore take place over the period 2024-2026 and will be divided into two stages. From September to December 2024, this process will be deployed to 400 people in several areas located in the Île-de-France and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions. The survey will then be extended to 3,000 people from May 2025 and will end in December 2026.
Albane survey: how does this system work?
After the draw, an Ipsos investigator will visit the participants, “to present the survey to them, obtain their agreement to participate and ask them questions about their home, their accommodation, their health, their diet”indicates Public Health France. During this contact, the material and instructions for the continuation of the investigation will also be delivered.
Over a three-week period, volunteers will be asked to complete a questionnaire about their lifestyle, health, eating habits and physical activity. They will also be asked to describe their food consumption over three randomly selected days.
In the final stage, the study populations will visit a partner medical biology laboratory for a health examination including measurements of height, muscle strength, weight and blood pressure. During the visit, urine and blood samples will be taken for participants over the age of six. “Participants will then be asked in an interview about any chronic illnesses they may have, tobacco use and exposure to specific chemicals,” completes the health authority.
The first results will be available from 2027.