New Study: Americans' Attitudes About Health

Jane Sarasohn-Kohn at the Health Populi blog discusses an interesting study about the way Americans view health--specifically, what we think it takes to maintain good health. The results are surprising, and they reveal valuable information for anyone in corporate wellness.

While most people agree that strong family relationships, maintaining a positive attitude, and having a purpose in life are important for good health, few felt the same when asked about diet and exercise. I found these statistics troubling:

• Only half of those surveyed believed that taking medications as prescribed was "very important" to maintaining health.
  
• One in six considered getting regular exercise "very important."
  
• One in six believed that getting regular physicals and eating a balanced diet are "very important."
  

Once again, the lesson for wellness professionals is the importance of education. Given access to quality information, I believe we can turn these negative attitudes around. What do you think?