What is the state of health of the French overseas departments (DOM)? The National Institute for Prevention and Education for Health (Inpes) has looked into this question with the aim of better managing local health actions, and has carried out an extensive survey in Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, and Réunion. . The results published in the 2014 DOM Health Barometer bring together the responses of more than 8,000 people, aged 15 to 75, interviewed between April and November 2014 in these departments.
Less tobacco, alcohol and drugs
The first result that emerges from this survey relates to the use of drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Regarding smoking, the departments of Guyana, Martinique and Guadeloupe have about half as many daily smokers (between 12 and 15%) as in mainland France (28%). Similarly, with regard to cannabis consumption, only people from Reunion equal those in mainland France (respectively 12 and 11%), while the inhabitants of the three other DOMs consume it up to twice as much (between 6 and 8%). Moreover, while mainland France has 48% of weekly drinkers, the four overseas departments only account for 35%. Nevertheless, “these differences can be explained by a much lower consumption of wine in the overseas departments“explains Inpes. As wine is generally replaced in the overseas departments by other types of alcohol such as beer or strong alcohol, the alcoholism rate remains a concern.
Overall better psychological health in the overseas departments…
While the metropolis is reaching record consumption of psychotropic drugs (35%), the inhabitants of the overseas departments are only between 18 and 25% to have already taken it during their life. Similarly, the West Indies and Guyana have less than suicide attempts than in mainland France (5 and 7% respectively).
… but a more negative perception of general health
This survey also reveals that the inhabitants of the overseas departments are less likely to feel in good health than in mainland France. This figure mainly concerns women since only 52 to 58% of them declare themselves to be in good health in the overseas departments, against 68% in mainland France.
This can be explained by the fact that 38% of the overseas population suffers from chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and hypertension, compared to 34% in mainland France.
Promoting physical activity in the overseas departments
High figures for diabetes, hypertension and obesity in the West Indies and Guyana echo statements about the practice of physical activity : 30% of women in these overseas departments do not practice any sport, compared to 25% in mainland France. A difference with serious consequences, which should encourage local public authorities to promote the regular practice of sport more effectively.
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