About one-third of Americans say they have made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight in the last five years and 42% of people who said they smoke regularly in that time frame pledged to quit the habit, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll, a monthly poll that gauges attitudes and opinions on a wide range of health issues.

The survey, which asked respondents their opinions and experiences with New Year’s resolutions focused on weight loss and smoking, found that 57% of Americans who have made a pledge to lose weight in the last five years were successful. Respondents who made a resolution to lose weight said most often that their goal was between 10 and 29 pounds (48%). The second most popular weight loss goal was 30-49 pounds (21%).

One in four respondents said they smoked regularly in the last five years. Forty two percent of that group said they resolved to quit smoking over that time and 36 percent said their plan was successful.

Americans are still making resolutions as they look forward to 2012. Fifty one percent of all respondents indicated that they will make a resolution to exercise more in the upcoming New Year. Thirty five percent said they will make a pledge to lose weight and 9% of smokers indicated that they will make a resolution to quit smoking.

“As the country re-evaluates ways to reduce runaway healthcare spending, it is time for all Americans to be resolved to take better care of themselves and others. Data demonstrates that the majority of medical costs can be traced back to poor lifestyle issues such as obesity and tobacco use,” said Raymond Fabius, M.D., chief medical officer at the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters. “While we know it often takes several attempts to lose weight and quit smoking, it is encouraging that many survey participants are taking strides to improve their health in 2012. Let’s celebrate and support those who have resolutions to lose weight, stop smoking, eat better and exercise. If they can meet these New Year goals they will be healthier and wealthier for it as well as helping to solve America’s healthcare crisis!”

To date, the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll has explored numerous health topics, including generic drugs, abortion, vaccines, food allergies, and organic and genetically modified foods. NPR’s reports on the surveys are archived online at the Shots health blog here. (more…)

Each month, the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll surveys approximately 3,000 Americans to gauge attitudes and opinions on a wide range of healthcare issues. Poll results are reported by NPR’s Scott Hensley on the health blog Shots and on air. Complete survey results are posted here and NPR’s reports on the findings are archived here.

This month’s survey asked respondents their opinions about the value and safety of vaccines. Here are some the findings:

• 26.6% of respondents said that they were concerned about the value and safety of vaccines.
• Among those with concerns, 47.3% attributed their fear of vaccines to future long-term impact on health and 46% said they were worried about side effects.
• One in five respondents said they have questioned or refused a vaccine for themselves or their children.
• 21.4% of respondents said they believe vaccines can cause of autism.
• 23.5% of respondents said their opinions of vaccines have changed in the past five years.

The latest Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll reveals that one in five households have at least one member with a food allergy or intolerance. Interestingly food allergies are more prevalent among respondents under 35 years. Why do you think that is?
In any case, the most common intolerance seems to be for milk and milk products. Find out what else people are intolerant to by reading the full story here.

 

 

The newest Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll reveals that a surprising 58 percent of Americans choose organic over conventionally produced foods when buying food for themselves and their families. Not surprisingly, the results skew even higher among young and highly educated respondents, who seem to be more concerned about toxins than the older generation. A desire to support local farmers also seems to drive their preference for organic. A small percentage of respondents actually chose organic over conventional due to taste alone.

Check out the complete survey results and read the press release.

To date, Thomson Reuters and NPR have addressed a number of healthcare topics, gauging sentiment on generic drugs, abortion, vaccines, food safety and other issues. NPR’s reports on the latest and past surveys are archived here:

Thomson Reuters also offers a library of poll results: healthcare.thomsonreuters.com/npr

 

Birth control is the first topic covered in a new series of monthly polls produced by a Thomson Reuters and NPR partnership. The poll, which addresses public sentiment toward contraception, uncovers some interesting results, including:

• 77 percent of respondents believe private insurance should cover most or all cost of oral contraceptives
• 74 percent believe government-subsidized insurance plans should cover birth control pills
• 78 percent said they believe the federal government should subsidize birth control and other family planning services, excluding abortion, at government-funded clinics for low-income women.

Poll results are included in Thomson Reuters library of poll results: http://healthcare.thomsonreuters.com/npr/. They are also reported by NPR’s health correspondent and blogger Scott Hensley on the health blog Shots and on air. “The polls let us delve into consumer attitudes about everything from flu vaccines to taxes on sugary drinks,” said Hensley. “The results provide a powerful and timely way to understand and explain how people view pressing health issues.”

Read more about the partnership in the press release here.