What does it mean to be healthy?

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

HOW HEALTHY DO YOU REALLY FEEL?

ACCORDING TO A NEW SURVEY, THE AVERAGE AMERICAN BELIEVES THEY’RE ONLY 70% HEALTHY.

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF CAMBIA HEALTH FOUNDATION, THE SURVEY OF 2,000 U.S. ADULTS REVEALED THAT 42% OF PEOPLE SAY THEY CAN’T EVEN REMEMBER THE LAST TIME THEY FELT COMPLETELY HEALTHY.

ACCORDING TO THE POLL, BEING “HEALTHY” MEANS EATING HEALTHY FOODS (45%) AND BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE (41%).

BUT THIS VIEW MAY BE HOLDING PEOPLE BACK FROM OTHER FACTORS THAT IMPACT THEIR HEALTH.

FOR INSTANCE, JUST 29% CONSIDER GETTING 7-9 HOURS OF SLEEP AS PART OF BEING HEALTHY.

AND EVEN FEWER SEE THE HEALTH VALUE IN HAVING A POSITIVE MINDSET (25%) OR SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH CARE (12%).

FURTHERMORE, 39% WEREN’T AWARE THAT IT CAN HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON PHYSICAL HEALTH.

AND WHILE 80% SAID THEIR DOCTOR ALWAYS ASKS ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH, NEARLY A THIRD OF RESPONDENTS SAID THAT THEY’RE NEVER ASKED ABOUT THEIR MENTAL WELLBEING (29%).

TOP WAYS AMERICANS WILL CARE FOR THEIR HEALTH IN 2024

• Be more physically active — 40%
• Eat healthier foods — 37%
• Maintain a positive mindset — 30%
• Spend time doing things they love — 22%
• Sleep more — 22%
• Spend more time with loved ones — 19%
• Set goals for themselves — 16%
• Monitor stress levels — 16%
• Utilize products that help their body internally (e.g., vitamins, superfoods, etc.) — 14%
• Visit their health care provide more often — 12%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Cambia Health between September 19 and September 26, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).