A Eurobarometer survey published in December 2003 examines incidence of chronic illness, long-term treatment and dental health in the existing 15 countries of the EU. The European Commission’s report also provides more depth on health maintenance through doctor’s visits and various screening tests. Women’s health, safety and children’s safety are also examined in detail.
The sample reveals the prevalence of chronic illness across the EU, rheumatism/arthritis (22 %), allergies (18%), high blood pressure (hypertension, 16.5%), asthma (7%),diabetes (6%) and cancer (2.6%). Although there is significant variation between countries, the Portuguese, Finns and Danes have the highest incidence of chronic illness overall in Europe.
Low income and education levels are strongly related to chronic diseases, except for asthma and allergies.
More women than men suffer from chronic disease. Almost a third of women questioned had had a ’Pap’ test for cervical cancer in the previous year. High-income women had more tests than their poorer counterparts, but overall test levels have decreased.
60% of women with children had breastfed them, but this varied dramatically from > 90% in Finland to just 21 % in Ireland.
Overall the most common health check in the EU is a dental check, with nearly two-thirds of Europeans having had one in the previous year.
Between 1996 and 2002, average weight increased by nearly two per cent but most Europeans believe their eating habits are ’fairly good’. A third of those questioned had adapted their eating or drinking habits recently, linked to eating more fruits and vegetables, less fat, drinking more water and eating
fewer calories. The Nordics changed their habits the most, and Austria, Spain and Portugal the least.
60 % of those questioned had drunk alcohol in the previous month, with Ireland, Finland and Denmark leading the list of the number of drinks consumed on one day.
Young people are more likely to drink alcohol not linked to meals. Drinking for Europeans began at 14 and a half, and there are indications that the age of starting to drink has fallen.
On safety, about 90 % of people wear seatbelts in cars but only 9 % of bicycle riders wear helmets.
Europeans agree fairly strongly that manufacturers have to be responsible concerning children’s safety and manufacturing.
