According to the first results of the 2008 Handicap-Santé survey carried out among French households, more than 90% of 18-24 year olds consider themselves to be in good or very good health, only a quarter of men and women say the same thing after 75 years old.
The majority of respondents who do not consider themselves to be in good health also report a chronic health problem. Thus, 80% of women and 82% of men who say they are neither in good nor very good health have a chronic or lasting illness such as asthma, permanent sequelae of an accident, diabetes or cancer.
However, 19% of the population surveyed consider themselves to be in good or very good health despite the presence of a chronic or permanent illness. The illnesses reported by this group, aged 49 on average, are asthma, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, allergic rhinitis, and even skin problems.
The survey reveals that people with low incomes, low education or inactive say they are in poorer health. Thus, 9 out of 10 female executives consider their health to be good or very good, compared to 7 out of 10 female workers. The same is true for men, 7 out of 10 unemployed people perceive their health as good or very good, compared to 8 out of 10 employed workers.
Men and women do not manage their health in the same way. The survey reports that women are much more health conscious than their counterparts of the opposite sex. In the 25-34 age group, two out of three women have already had their cholesterol levels checked, compared to one out of three men. Similarly, 91% of women say they have consulted a general practitioner at least once in the last twelve months, compared to 84% of men.
Women are also more careful about what they eat. Thus, 22% of women say they consume at least five fruits and vegetables a day, compared to 15% of men. On the other hand, men think more about updating their vaccinations (72% of men, against 69% of women).
Source: Handicap-Santé 2008
