It is difficult to identify in the recent past a period comparable to the historical moment we are experiencing and which has had, and continues to have, considerable repercussions on a global level. But in what terms has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the relationship of European citizens with their health? Has the health emergency strengthened or diminished their confidence in the health system? And again: what do they think of vaccines?
These are just some of the questions at the heart of the STADA Health Report 2021, a large international survey on a wide range of health topics carried out by STADA Group, in collaboration with the Kantar Market Research Institute between March and April 2021, on over 30,000 people in 15 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Concerns about the disease and the future
Contrary to what one might think, the fear of becoming ill due to Covid-19 infection was not the main concern for the majority of European citizens: over half (52%) were most affected by the lack of interpersonal contacts with the their family or friends. Fear of contagion follows in second place, with a percentage of 42%, while 1 interviewee out of 3 said he was worried about the economic and working repercussions of the health emergency.
And for us Italians, what were the main fears? According to the research results, more than half (53%) of our compatriots mentioned the fear of to get sick, ranking second in the ranking behind the Spaniards (54%). Likewise, Italy was second, again after Spain (44%), for the percentage of those (41%) who expressed great concern for the future, such as, for example, the loss or reduction of work.
Trust in the health system
Despite the concerns related to Covid-19, the Italian population shows a rather high level of trust in the national health system: two thirds of respondents (65%) believe that the health system would be ready to face a similar pandemic in future, placing Italy in fourth place among the 15 countries interviewed, behind only Portugal, the United Kingdom and Spain.
Praise for doctors, nurses and hospital staff
When asked which categories contributed most to the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, more than four fifths of Italians (82%) praised the work done by doctors, nurses and hospital staff, in line with the survey average (equal to 81%), while they were more critical of policy makers.
“It is nice to see that the Italian population recognizes the crucial role played by doctors, nurses and other hospital workers in the fight against the pandemic,” he commented. Salvatore Butti, Manager & Managing Director of EG STADA Group, underlining how pharmacists have also made a valuable contribution. “Through our broad portfolio of equivalent, biosimilar and specialty drugs and consumer healthcare products, EG is fully committed to working with its healthcare partners to ensure both patient access to high quality treatments and the sustainability of the Italian healthcare system. “.
Habits acquired thanks to the pandemic
The actions taken to protect one’s health during the pandemic seem to be consolidated in our country by now. More than half of Italians (53%) intend continue to wash your hands more accurately: this is the highest percentage together with Ukraine. Almost two out of five Italians (38%) intend maintain social distancing (the survey average is 33%) and increase the cleanliness and hygiene of their home (the survey average is 31%).
Furthermore, almost a third of Italians (31%) plans to continue using masks in crowded places even once the pandemic has passed: a percentage that places our country in second place together with Spain, behind only the United Kingdom (38%).
Health app and electronic information leaflet
Italians fall within the European average in terms of their willingness to use health apps on their mobile phone: almost a quarter of respondents (24%) believe that these applications could help them have better digital communication with their doctor , a percentage exceeded only by the Portuguese (28%).
Furthermore, almost nine out of 10 Italians (87%) would be willing to use electronic information sheets, for example by scanning a code on the packaging of medicines. This result places our country in second place (on par with Ukraine), behind only Portugal (89%). More than two in five Italians (42%) believe that package leaflets in electronic format would be more practical to use and cause less waste.
Vaccines
Over three quarters (76%) of Italians expressed a positive attitude towards compulsory vaccination, ranking second after the United Kingdom (79%), and far above the European average (61%). Two fifths (39%) believe mandatory vaccination is important to protect society, and a similar percentage (37%) believe it would help prevent dangerous diseases. Only one in six Italians (17%) expressed concern about the possible side effects of immunization, a percentage lower than the European average of 22%.
The survey
STADA Arzneimittel AG is headquartered in Bad Vilbel, Germany. The company pursues a dual strategy in the equivalent drug sector, both in the pharmaceutical specialty segment and in non-prescription consumer health products. STADA Arzneimittel AG products are marketed in 120 countries worldwide. In 2020, the STADA Group totaled adjusted sales of € 3,010.3 million and an adjusted gross operating margin (EBITDA) before interest, taxes and depreciation of € 713.3 million. As of December 31, 2020, STADA had 12,301 employees worldwide.