UNDER EMBARGO FOR 00:01 on 20 July 2020, London UK
COVID-19 prompts increased focus on self-care, with Europeans taking their health more seriously to relieve pressure on healthcare systems
New research shared today by GSK Consumer Healthcare and IPSOS reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people’sbehaviour and attitudes to self-care. Key findings from the research, which surveyed 4,400 participants aged between 16 and 75 years in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, are below:
COVID-19 has taught the public to become more self-aware about self-care, prompting them to make positive changes to their day-to-day lives for the benefit of their health
The pandemic has caused people across Europe to pay closer attention to their health, symptoms of illness and to adopt new behaviours to minimise risk of transmission – such as more regular handwashing, which is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of the virus. In general, Europeans recognise that they took their health for granted prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, and many now plan to improve self-education around health issues. On average across all four countries, 59 % of people surveyed now have a better understanding of what impacts their health, and the majority of people are more likely to consider their health in day-to-day decision-making as a result of COVID-19: Spain 74 %, Italy 69 %, UK 62 %, Germany 54 %. When asked to consider their future behaviour, 77 % of Europeans would stay at home as much as possible when ill to avoid transmitting their illness to others. In order to strengthen their immune systems, around half of Italians plan on using vitamin products and multivitamins.
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened Europeans’ appreciation for health services and frontline workers and people are keen to help relieve pressure on the healthcare system by consulting pharmacists more often or by turning over-the-counter medicines
The majority of people in all countries surveyed consider it important to take their health into their own hands in order not to burden the health system, particularly in Spain (84 %), with the UK at 77 %, Italy at 75 % and Germany at 63 %. In order to achieve this, the role of pharmacists is increasing in importance in the wake of the pandemic. For 36% of Europeans surveyed, their GP surgery, NHS walk-in centre, or A&E at their local hospital is the first place they would go to seek advice about healthcare issues such as joint/movement pain, headaches, skin rashes or colds and flu. However, some 41% of people across the four nationalities now intend to use a pharmacist more in the future to give them advice about such concerns.
A significant 74 % of Britons would trust a pharmacist to give them reliable advice to help them manage their health, and 66 % of Spaniards, 61 % of Italians and 54 % of Germans agree with this statement.
Consumers are turning to trusted brands, with a strong heritage, that are grounded in science
Britons take the lead in intending to top up their medicine cabinet with over-the-counter products, with over one third intending to do so as a precautionary measure. When choosing over-the-counter products, trusted brands are important to the majority of Europeans (81 % in total): 79 % of Britons, 84 % of Spaniards, 73 % of Germans and 89 % of Italians, as are brands with a strong heritage. Buying products that are grounded in science is important to the vast majority of people in all countries – 89 % of Italians, 86 % of Spaniards, 81 % of Britons, 73% of Germans.
COVID and Compassion: Amidst social distancing measures, people are recognising the benefit of responsible self-care to loved ones and communities at large
Respondents to the survey indicated that they are now more likely to be concerned about the health of others, and to encourage those around them topractise responsible self-care. This is of particular concern to Spaniards and Italians. On average, three quarters (75 %) of Europeans are now more concerned about the health of people close to them: Spain 82 %, Italy 77 %, UK 75 % and Germany 66 %. 64% of Europeans would now encourage others to take better care of themselves; 74 % in Spain, which compares to 70 % in Italy, 65 % in the UK and 48 % in Germany.
Filippo Lanzi, Regional Head, EMEA GSK Consumer Healthcare, said, “As the defining global health event of recent history, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of people living in Europe and beyond. Our research shows the extent to which the pandemic has impacted attitudes towards personal wellbeing and self-care, and it’s encouraging to see the increased importance that many people are now placing on looking after their own and others’ health.
“At GSK Consumer Healthcare, we’re well-placed to help redefine the role of self-care in people’s lives through responsible education and scientifically-backed brands – and we believe this holds a long-term benefit for both individuals and society as a whole.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About the survey
In total, around 4,400 people were surveyed from four European countries. Around 1,100 Spaniards aged between 16 and 65 years were surveyed, as well as 1,100 Italians (aged 16-70), 1,100 Britons (aged 16-75) and 1,100 Germans (aged 16-75). The survey was conducted between the 29th May and the 1st June 2020, and it focused on the approval level of participants with regard to several statements, as well as on any change of behaviourbefore and after social distancing rules were implemented. The data was mapped proportionally against metadata – age, sex, region, educational background, job situation and family status – in the total population. In addition, all participants whose data was taken into account agreed to an Adverse Event Tracker (forwarding to manufacturers in anonymized form any problems with products).
About GSK / GSK Consumer Healthcare:
GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. We have three global businesses: pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines and consumer healthcare products.
GSK Consumer Healthcare is one of the world’s largest consumer healthcare companies. We own some of the world’s best loved healthcare brands including Sensodyne, Voltaren, parodontax, Panadol, Corega (Polident), Otrivin. These brands are successful in over 100 countries around the world because they all show our passion for quality, guaranteed by science. They are inspired by the real wants and needs of the millions of people who walk into pharmacies, supermarkets, market stalls and go on-line all over the world every day and choose us first. For more information please visit www.gsk.com
Media Contact:
Team Xcelerate
Samir Nanji
E-Mail: Samir.Nanji@xcelerate-team.com
Mobile: +44 7811 802210
Appendix: Further Findings and Statistics
COVID-19 has taught the public to become more self-aware about self-care, prompting them to make positive changes to their day-to-day lives for the benefit of their health
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened Europeans’ appreciation for health services and frontline workers and people are keen to help relieve pressure on the healthcare system by consulting pharmacists more often or by turning to internet search engines and over-the-counter medicines
Consumers are turning to trusted brands, with a strong heritage, that are grounded in science
COVID and Compassion: Amidst social distancing measures, people are recognising the benefit of responsible self-care to loved ones and communities at large
