Public awareness of healthy life-style factors and sources of advice

Abstract

IN an attempt to ascertain patients' understanding of health risks associated with different life-styles, and where information about them can be obtained, a questionnaire study among 865 patients was under taken in 58 general practices. Many of the respond ents failed to mention life-style factors such as smoking behaviour, alcohol intake and weight con trol that can be modified to improve health. The find ings suggested poor knowledge about available sources of advice, and there was widespread interest in obtaining information about the magnitude of risks attributed to different life-styles and how risk levels could be influenced by changes in personal behaviour. Seventy two per cent of respondents would welcome a booklet with this information. Such a booklet could be jointly developed by epidemiolo gists, health educators and general practitioners.