NEW YORK — The New York State Department of Health recently released the latest Chronic Diseases Poll to better understand New Yorkers’ beliefs about public health issues and assess their support for public health policies aimed at preventing and managing chronic diseases. We have published the results of the report.
“It is important to hear directly from New Yorkers which health issues are most important to them in driving statewide public health policy,” said Deputy State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “This data will help the State Department know where to direct our efforts and which issues are most important to people living in New York State.”
Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, asthma, and arthritis are among the leading causes of death, disability, and rising health care costs in New York State. However, chronic disease is also one of the most preventable by modifying risk behaviors such as eating healthier, increasing physical activity and avoiding tobacco use.
The Department’s Division of Chronic Disease Prevention partnered with the Siena College Institute to conduct this annual survey of adults in New York State. Respondents answered a variety of questions about their perceptions of the severity of some health problems and behaviors, public health policies, and their impact on government public health priorities.
According to the survey, only 25% of New Yorkers say Americans are healthier today than they were a generation ago, and 53% say Americans are healthier today than they were a generation ago. says.
• 88% of respondents believe heroin use is a very or moderately serious public health problem, and 90% say prescription opioids (Percocet, OxyContin, Vicodin, etc.) are used or misused very much. considered to be a moderately serious public health problem. .
• 85% of respondents believe that tobacco use is a very or somewhat serious public health problem, and 82% believe that e-cigarette use is a very or somewhat serious public health problem. I think. 70% believe that marketing tobacco products to communities of color, including black and Hispanic people, is a very or somewhat serious public health problem.
• 77% of respondents believe that alcohol consumption is a very or somewhat serious public health problem. On the other hand, 46% believe that marijuana or cannabis use is a very or somewhat serious public health problem.
• 83% of respondents believe that American physical activity is a very or somewhat serious public health problem. 73% believe access to healthy food and beverages is a very or somewhat serious public health problem.
• 92% of respondents believe childhood obesity is a very or somewhat serious public health problem.
• 80% of respondents believe that access to healthcare is a very or moderately serious public health problem.
Respondents also answered a question about the number of public policies to promote healthy lifestyles, with 69% of NYS adults believing more public health policies are needed and 8 Think % should be less.
• A majority (85%) of New Yorkers agreed or strongly agreed with requiring employers to provide all employees with paid sick leave for physical examinations. 64% of respondents supported or strongly supported raising the age limit for indoor tanning equipment to her 21, and 59% supported requiring everyone between her 11 and her 12 to wear sunscreen. or strongly agreed. Human papillomavirus vaccine before the start of sixth grade.
• Most adults (80%) were in favor of bringing health foods into the cafeteria or vending machine at work. More than half (52%) of New Yorkers say they are more likely to support a tax on sweetened beverages if a portion of the tax money is used to fund New York’s health programs.
