Two-Thirds of Adult Americans Say Multiple Barriers Prevent Living a Healthy Lifestyle All the Time

BALTIMORE, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixty-six percent of adult Americans do not live a healthy lifestyle all the time (e.g., eating right, exercising regularly and preventive care), according to a new survey by IMRE Healthcare conducted online by Harris Interactive in October among over 2,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. Barriers to healthy living all the time, among these adults ,include high cost (30%), not having enough time (27%) and that a healthy lifestyle is not a priority (16%).

In addition, other factors that include household dynamics have a considerable impact on why Americans are finding it difficult to make good health behavior decisions on a daily basis. An overwhelming 74 percent of U.S. adults who have children in the household say they do not live a healthy lifestyle all the time; among those, 33 percent stated that lack of time was the most significant obstacle.

Of note, only 6 percent of Americans who do not live a healthy lifestyle all the time feel that needing more information or a lack of access to medical care is a hindrance.

The results suggest that, while wellness, prevention and personal responsibility have been hot topics for many healthcare organizations and strong mandates of health reform, there's been little impact on Americans' collective lifestyle decisions.

"Those individual decisions may continue to pummel our health economy as the prevalence of preventable chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity remains unaddressed," said Daphne Swancutt, director of healthcare strategy and healthcare practice leader. "This is especially true if there is not a stronger call to action to make healthy living for all Americans a priority all the time."

Other noteworthy results from the survey included:

Factors that influence a lack of commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.

Of the 66 percent of adult Americans who do not live a healthy lifestyle all the time, the following was reported:

• More men (23%) than women (10%) report living a healthy lifestyle all the time was not important or a priority for them.
• More women (34%) than men (24%), however, report cost was the main factor as to why they did not live a healthy lifestyle all the time.
• Over half (52%) of women ages 35-44 were significantly more likely to report it is too expensive to live a healthy lifestyle all the time, compared to other women and men of all ages.
• Significantly more married (29%) and single (30%) individuals than those who are divorced, separated or widowed (13%) cite lack of time as the main reason preventing them from living a healthy lifestyle all the time.

Factors that influence a commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.

A little over one-third (34%) of American adults report that they do live a healthy lifestyle all of the time. Data show that 36% of these individuals are married, are aged 55 or older and have household incomes of $75,000 or more.

• Individuals aged 55 or older (42%) and retirees (51%) are significantly more likely than their younger counterparts and those who are employed, unemployed or students to live a healthy lifestyle all the time.
• Individuals with an income of $75,000 or higher (39%) are more likely to live a healthy lifestyle all the time compared to those earning lower incomes.

"These data clearly indicate that healthcare marketing strategy needs to be more dynamic than ever," said Kelly Nowlan, research director at IMRE Healthcare. "The brands with the best understanding of the unique needs and challenges of consumers will ultimately have the most influence."

For more insight on the implications of this poll, visit the IMRE Healthcare IQ blog at www.IMREHealthcare.com.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of IMRE from October 28 – November 1, 2011 among 2,429 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About IMRE Healthcare

IMRE is a full-service agency specializing in the communications needs of the healthcare industry. We shape consumer perception and induce behavior change for leading healthcare brands like Pfizer, MedImmune, Quintiles, Susan G. Komen, Target, the Immune Deficiency Foundation and the National Disability Rights Network. Visit us at www.imrehc.com, read our blog at www.imrehealthiq.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/imrehealthiq.

SOURCE IMRE