| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW SURVEY REVEALS THAT THE PUBLIC MISJUDGES
GREATEST THREAT TO THE NATION'S HEALTH
While most Americans view AIDS, HIV and other
STDs as biggest threat,
public health officials warn that obesity is most critical
NEW YORK, NY, September 30, 2003 – Despite recent intense
media coverage of public health issues ranging from bioterrorism
to SARS to obesity, most Americans still do not recognize the greatest
public health threat to the nation, finds new research from RoperASW
commissioned by Pfizer Inc's Public Health Group. The study reveals
a wide gap between what the general public and public health community
view as the major health threat to the U.S.
More than two-thirds of the 1,012 adult Americans surveyed listed
AIDS, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as the
major public health threat facing the nation. In contrast, 81
percent of public health professionals surveyed ranked obesity as
the major threat.
Public health issues have been in the news like never before, with
crises such as bioterrorism, SARS, West Nile Virus, and mercury
levels in fish commanding front page attention. Despite the scary
headlines, the nation's public health experts point to obesity as
the biggest threat to the nation's health. Fifty-one percent of
the professionals surveyed also listed unhealthy lifestyles and
behaviors as a major factor contributing to the chronic diseases
plaguing the U.S. For this study, the 200 public health professionals
surveyed were defined as high ranking officials in professional
medicine; health administration, government health; public health
academia; non-profit organizations; and health care corporations.
Although there was a large gap between the most critical issues
identified by the public health community and the general public,
there was consensus among both groups about cardiovascular disease
(CVD) and diabetes. Both groups ranked CVD and diabetes
as the third and fourth most critical public health issues today.
However, the public still ranked obesity seventh on the
critical list, missing the connection between obesity and the increased
risk of these other serious conditions.
"The survey results show that the public is aware of and interested
in public health issues, but they have underestimated what really
constitutes the biggest threat to our health as a society,"
said Barbara DeBuono, MD, MPH, Medical Director and Group Leader,
Pfizer Inc's Public Health Group. "The research shows that
messages about the link between obesity with other diseases, such
as CVD, diabetes and even cancer, must be repeated again and again
before the public will make this connection and we begin to see
behavior change."
The research also reveals that experts fear a shortage of qualified
public health workers in the future, and need to encourage more
people to enter the dynamic field. Amazingly, there are
2,025,000 counter attendants and fast food workers in the U.S.,
compared with 448,254 workers in the public health field, a greater
than 4:1 ratio.
To raise awareness among students and the general public about
public health careers, Pfizer's Public Health Group has recently
published advancing healthy populations: the pfizer guide to
careers in public health. The fourth in a series of career
guides produced by Pfizer, the book is available free of charge*
by visiting www.pfizerpublichealth.com.com
and clicking on the book icon. The series also includes books on
careers in nursing, pharmacy and medicine.
"The public health community needs to take steps to encourage
more people to enter our field to confront these critical issues,"
explained William Roper, MD, MPH, (no relation to RoperASW), Dean
of the School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. "We can do that by letting the public know what
public health means, and highlighting the role of the public health
professional in their daily lives." Dr. Roper is one of 33
public health experts profiled in advancing health populations
and also oversees the National Public Health Leadership Institute
at UNC.
The new guide explores the wide variety of career opportunities
that exist under the umbrella of "public health." It features
a "day in the life" of diverse public health professionals,
and even outlines the specific personality traits that are suited
to these different disciplines. The guide is appropriate for students
considering public health studies; professionals considering a career
change; and the general public interested in learning more about
the individuals who safeguard the nation's health and safety.
About Pfizer Inc
Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading
prescription medicines, for humans and animals, and many of the
world's best-known consumer products. Pfizer is the only pharmaceutical
company with a dedicated public health group.
About the survey
This study was conducted by RoperASW via telephone from July 17
through August 4, 2003, among 200 public health professionals. In
addition, a representative sample of 1,012 Americans age 18+ was
surveyed for comparison on the key public health issues facing the
nation. Please see Survey Fact Sheet for more details.
About RoperASW
RoperASW, an NOP World company, is the merger of two of the world's
leading market research and consulting firms - Roper Starch Worldwide
and Audits & Surveys Worldwide. For over 75 years RoperASW professionals
have helped global marketers acquire new customers, build customer
loyalty, and align their organizational goals with business and
consumer needs.
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*Up to 10 copies of the book are available free of charge; bulk
orders can be arranged through Pfizer upon request.
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