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Having Negative Effect On Consumers
For Immediate Release January 13, 2009
Contact: Cristi Allen
callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 817-640-6166
Economic Conditions Having Negative Effect On Consumers,
According To Decision Analyst Study
Arlington, Texas—Economic conditions are having a negative impact on
Americans' healthcare and general well-being, according to a recent study by
Decision Analyst, a leading international marketing research and marketing consulting
firm. In a recent online survey of 3,000 U.S. adults, Decision Analyst asked
participants to describe how their "personal economic condition is impacting
their health or health-related activities." Decision Analyst tracks the
health and nutritional behaviors and attitudes of the U.S. population on a continuous
basis through its Health and Nutrition Strategist™ study.
Among the findings, 12% of respondents said they’ve stopped buying their
prescription medications on a regular basis, and 42% of women and 37% of men
said they are putting off visits to the doctor or dentist.
"Economic conditions are causing consumers to postpone medical care, lose
sleep, and select cheaper, less healthy foods," said Diane Brewton, Senior
Vice President at Decision Analyst who heads up the Health and Nutrition Strategist™
study. "Should these trends continue, consumers' long-term health will
be impacted negatively by both increased stress levels and delayed medical treatment."
Recent Health Or Health-Related Activities
Impacted By Economic Conditions
Statement |
Percent Who Agree With Statement |
| I do not eat out at restaurants or order takeout as often |
57.5% |
| I worry more often now than I used to |
55.5% |
| I’m having more trouble sleeping through the night than I used to |
44.5% |
| I am not exercising as often |
42.5% |
| I am eating more comfort-type foods |
39.9% |
| I’ve put off going to the doctor or dentist |
39.2% |
| I am eating cheaper, less healthy foods |
36.9% |
| I am eating fewer fresh fruits and vegetables |
32.2% |
| I take more over-the-counter pain relievers or sleep aids |
25.6% |
| I am overeating more often |
25.3% |
| I have quit buying my prescription medications regularly |
12.1% |
I have put off having children
|
10.4% |
Source: American Consumer Opinion® Online survey (
www.acop.com)
While the recession is having more impact on lower income households, higher income households are not immune to the effects of the recession, as shown below.
Recent Health Or Health-Related Activities
Impacted By Economic Conditions
By Household Annual Income
| |
Percent Who Agree With Statement |
Statement |
Less than $50,000 |
$50,000 to $99,999 |
Over $100,000 |
| I do not eat out at restaurants or order takeout as often |
62.2% |
53.8% |
50.3% |
| I worry more often now than I used to |
58.1% |
53.2% |
52.3% |
| I’m having more trouble sleeping through the night than I used to |
48.4% |
41.0% |
39.4% |
| I am not exercising as often |
46.9% |
39.7% |
34.9% |
| I am eating more comfort-type foods |
42.1% |
38.5% |
35.6% |
| I’ve put off going to the doctor or dentist |
46.6% |
33.9% |
27.2% |
| I am eating cheaper, less healthy foods |
45.9% |
31.1% |
21.4% |
| I am eating fewer fresh fruits and vegetables |
39.3% |
29.0% |
17.4% |
| I take more over-the-counter pain relievers or sleep aids |
29.2% |
24.8% |
16.7% |
| I am overeating more often |
27.5% |
23.7% |
22.0% |
| I have quit buying my prescription medications regularly |
15.6% |
10.0% |
5.6% |
I have put off having children
|
12.1% |
8.9% |
7.9% |
Source: American Consumer Opinion® Online survey (
www.acop.com)
Methodology
This study is based on interviews with 3,000 consumers selected to create a statistically balanced sample of the U.S. adult population. The margin of error is plus or minus 2% at a 95% level of confidence. The study was conducted using American Consumer Opinion® Online (www.acop.com) panel in October-November 2008.
About Decision Analyst
Decision Analyst (www.decisionanalyst.com), based in Dallas-Fort Worth, is a leading global marketing research and marketing consulting firm specializing in advertising testing, strategy research, new product development, and advanced modeling for marketing decision optimization. The 30-year-old firm delivers competitive advantage to clients throughout the world in the consumer packaged goods, retail, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, Decision Analyst operates American Consumer Opinion® Online, one of the world’s largest online panels with more than seven million participants.
For additional information contact:
Cristi Allen
Publicity
Email: callen@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 1-800-ANALYSIS (262-5974) or 1-817-640-6166
Address: 604 Avenue H East
Arlington, TX 76011
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