World Health Day 2022 is focused on creating societies centered on wellbeing. To hone in on this theme, we took an in-depth look at understanding how Americans feel about their overall health journey.
Specifically, we had the market research company, OnePoll, conduct a survey of 2,000 people in the US. Throughout the results, it’s clear that there is significant importance between collaboration and wellness—specifically between patients and their practitioners.
In honor of the global event, and the notion of connection, we’ve shared our findings with you below. Outlining the challenges and opportunities involved not only in creating a healthier country, but perhaps a more connected world as well.
What is World Health Day?
Celebrated annually on April 7, World Health Day signifies the 1948 anniversary of when the World Health Organization (WHO) was founded. Every year, the international occasion draws attention to a relevant health topic that concerns people around the globe.
World Health Day 2022 theme
The theme for World Health Day 2022 is: Our planet, our health. In further detail, WHO plans to draw attention to urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy. Simultaneously, the organization plans to foster a movement to create societies focused on wellbeing.
The current health landscape
According to our survey results, half of Americans aren’t currently living a lifestyle they consider healthy. In fact, 53% of respondents don’t consider their lifestyle “healthy,” and the same number don’t feel capable of improving their health.
Respondents were split by their current household income (HHI) and results revealed those with a lower income were more likely to agree with the above statement. Of those with an HHI between $30,000 and $60,000, about two-thirds don’t feel capable of improving their health, compared to only about half of respondents with an HHI of more than $60,000 to $100,000+.
When it comes to the relationship between age and health, most people surveyed said they started (or expect to start) taking their health seriously at age 36. Additionally, 67% are currently prioritizing their health more than ever before.
With 78% of participants agreeing, physical health was the largest focus area in terms of personal health goals, followed by mindfulness/mental health (73%), and nutrition/healthy eating (65%). But even with physical health found to be the area respondents are prioritizing most, it was also the area they found most difficult to make positive changes to.
Barriers to a healthier lifestyle
Delving deeper, we wanted to see what our audience’s other main challenges were when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle. A lack of understanding topped the list (39%), along with being overwhelmed with different options (also 39%), and the cost (36%).
Seventy-five percent of respondents said it was easy to make positive changes to their mental health, while 72% said the same for their nutrition. Physical health was slightly lower, with seven in 10 respondents saying it was easy to make those impactful changes.
While a variety of challenges were noted, the survey indicated a positive awareness of how different areas of health connect to one another as 73% of people surveyed recognized that improving one aspect of their health helps improve the others.
What’s holding respondents back from a healthier lifestyle?
- 39% Not understanding the best actions to take in order to be healthy
- 39% Feeling overwhelmed with different options
- 36% Cost
- 35% Lack of time
- 35% Lack of resources
- 31% Lack of support from loved ones
Steps toward wellness
The results indicate that 28% of respondents said they make a conscious effort to “get healthy” every day — and for many, this occurs with small steps.
“Making sustainable lifestyle changes are essential but can be hard,” said Jeff Gladd, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Fullscript. “While the foundation of health involves incorporating good nutrition, physical exercise, and mindfulness into a daily routine, trying to change all at once might feel overwhelming. Instead, focus on long-term health goals by making gradual efforts to generate momentum and create healthy habits that will last.”
It seems like survey participants are using this gradual approach. In order to feel healthy, they said they’re focusing on healthy eating (43%) and regular exercise (42%), as well as taking time for themselves every day (41%).
Connection is key
When it comes to their health journey, respondents said they rely most on themselves (41%), followed by their partner or spouse (38%), and their practitioner (37%). In fact, 50% would like their practitioner to play a bigger role in their personal health journey.
“We believe that a person’s wellbeing is best guided by a practitioner who can understand their goals and offer the most achievable starting point for their health journey—therefore, we weren’t surprised to see that half of the respondents would like their practitioner to play a larger role in their health,” said Gladd. “Through regular care, this relationship will help guide sustainable progress, as well as support any disruptions to momentum.”
What steps are respondents taking in order to feel healthy?
- 43% Healthy eating
- 42% Regular exercise
- 41% Taking time for myself every day
- 41% Taking vitamins and/or supplements
- 39% Regular movement
- 39% Cutting back on unhealthy things (smoking, alcohol, etc.)
- 39% Seeing my practitioner regularly
- 34% Meditation
- 31% Cutting back on screen time
- 29% Using a standing desk while I work
The bottom line
The World Health Day 2022 theme of the connection between personal wellbeing and global health deeply resonates with our mission to help people get better. We believe that a more connected wellness journey, specifically between practitioners and their patients, is one that leads to healthier outcomes.
Based on the World Health Day 2022 survey results, we know this is also a sentiment shared amongst the American population. We hope this sense of connection grows even further between practitioners, patients, and our community, both locally and across the world.
For a quick glance at the statistics and insights found from the survey, be sure to download this infographic!