European Consumers Share a High Interest in Healthcare, but Hold Varied Views on Many Health Issues New TNS Healthcare Study Reveals Both Differences and Similarities in Health Views acr...( NEW YORK July 7 /- More than 90% of c...),Health

NEW YORK, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 90% of consumers across the five major European markets--the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain-share an interest in health, according to a new study by TNS Healthcare, a Kantar Health Company. European woman are significantly more concerned with health than men, with 95% of females expressing interest in health issues vs. 89% of males. Age also makes a difference, with 55% of those older than 55 expressing an interest in health vs. just 44% of those between 18 and 24.

"The study indicates that, in all countries, most people take health for granted while they are young, particularly if they have no health issues," says Louise Tamblin, Practice Area Lead in Brand and Communications Research at TNS Healthcare UK. "Those who do suffer from any medical condition-even if it's minor-become significantly more interested in health than those who do not."

Europeans Have Many Areas of Commonality Europeans share the same views on many health issues. For example, the majority of consumers in all countries agree that they only go to the doctor when necessary. They also believe that they know when to visit a doctor vs. when to self medicate.

"Interestingly, doctors think differently about how well consumers judge whether to visit a physician or treat themselves," says Ginny Rose, Practice Area Lead in Patient Understanding, OTC and Consumer Health Research, TNS Healthcare UK. "For example, while 81% of consumers in the UK agree with the statement that they know when to go to the doctor and when to self medicate, more than 50% of doctors disagree."

Both consumers and doctors across the five countries surveyed share positive perceptions of pharmacists. There also was agreement on perceptions of OTC products, with UK respondents particularly positive about non-Rx treatments. For example, 77% of UK consumers and 85% of UK doctors believe that, f
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