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Personal Health Issues

How Would You Describe Your Own Physical Health at This Time?

How would you describe your own physical health at this time? Would you say your physical health is -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Excellent

Good

Only fair

Poor

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

32

48

15

5

*

2007 Nov 11-14

31

50

15

4

--

2006 Nov 9-12

28

51

16

5

--

2005 Nov 7-10

28

50

18

4

*

2004 Nov 7-10

32

48

14

6

*

2003 Nov 3-5

32

50

14

4

*

2002 Nov 11-14

34

45

14

6

1

2001 Nov 8-11

29

49

17

5

*

* Less than 0.5%

How would you describe your own mental health or emotional well being at this time? Would you say it is -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Excellent

Good

Only fair

Poor

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

45

42

11

2

*

2007 Nov 11-14

45

42

11

2

*

2006 Nov 9-12

45

41

11

3

*

2005 Nov 7-10

42

43

13

2

*

2004 Nov 7-10

51

37

9

3

--

2003 Nov 3-5

43

44

11

2

*

2002 Nov 11-14

43

38

15

3

1

2001 Nov 8-11

43

42

12

3

*

* Less than 0.5%

Overall, how would you rate -- [ROTATED] -- as excellent, good, only fair or poor

A. The quality of healthcare you receive

Excellent

Good

Only
fair

Poor

Not
applicable
(vol.)


No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov

36

47

13

3

1

*

2007 Nov

33

50

12

3

3

*

2006 Nov

36

43

15

4

1

*

2005 Nov

29

49

17

3

2

*

2004 Nov

38

42

15

4

1

--

2003 Nov

33

49

13

3

2

*

2002 Nov

28

54

14

3

1

*

2001 Nov

31

49

15

3

2

*

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

B. Your healthcare coverage

Excellent

Good

Only
fair

Poor

Not
applicable
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov

26

41

19

8

4

1

2007 Nov

25

45

15

8

5

*

2006 Nov

26

39

23

8

3

1

2005 Nov

20

43

21

11

4

1

2004 Nov

28

41

20

7

4

*

2003 Nov

22

44

23

6

5

*

2002 Nov

20

51

17

7

4

1

2001 Nov

22

46

20

6

5

1

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the total cost you pay for your healthcare?

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

No opinion

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

58

39

3

2007 Nov 11-14

57

39

4

2006 Nov 9-12

54

42

4

2005 Nov 7-10

57

41

2

2004 Nov 7-10

58

41

1

2003 Nov 3-5

57

41

2

2002 Nov 11-14

58

39

3

2001 Nov 8-11

64

33

3

Do you currently have medical coverage through Medicare or [Medicaid/Medi-Cal]?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

29

70

1

2007 Nov 11-14

31

69

1

2006 Nov 9-12

33

67

*

2005 Nov 7-10

30

69

1

2004 Nov 7-10

30

70

*

2003 Nov 3-5

26

73

1

2002 Nov 11-14

27

72

1

2001 Nov 8-11

26

73

1

* Less than 0.5%

Do you currently have medical coverage through some other form of health insurance?

[BASED ON ADULTS NOT INSURED BY MEDICARE OR MEDICAID]

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

84

15

1

2007 Nov 11-14

83

16

1

2006 Nov 9-12

84

15

1

2005 Nov 7-10

81

19

*

2004 Nov 7-10

84

16

*

2003 Nov 3-5

87

13

*

2002 Nov 11-14

83

17

*

2001 Nov 8-11

84

16

*

[SUMMARY TABLE: HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE]

Private
insurance

Medicare/
Medicaid

No
insurance

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

60

29

11

*

2007 Nov 11-14

57

31

11

1

2006 Nov 9-12

57

33

10

*

2005 Nov 7-10

57

30

13

*

2004 Nov 7-10

59

30

11

*

2003 Nov 3-5

63

27

10

*

2002 Nov 11-14

61

27

12

--

2001 Nov 8-11

62

26

11

1

* Less than 0.5%

Who pays the cost of premiums on your health insurance? Do you or someone in your household pay the total cost, does an employer pay the total cost, or is the cost shared between the employer and you or someone in your household?

[BASED ON ADULTS WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE]

Self/
Household

Employer
pays all

Costs are
shared

None/
Other
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

19

15

64

1

1

2007 Nov 11-14

18

15

64

2

1

2006 Nov 9-12

20

15

62

2

*

2005 Nov 7-10

18

14

65

2

1

2004 Nov 7-10

18

17

64

1

*

2003 Nov 3-5

23

16

59

2

*

2002 Nov 11-14

21

19

57

2

1

2001 Nov 8-11

19

24

54

2

1

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Over the past year, has the amount YOU paid for your and your family's health insurance -- [ROTATED: gone up a lot, gone up a little, not changed, gone down a little, (or) gone down a lot]?

[BASED ON ADULTS WHO PAY ALL OR PART OF THEIR HEALTH PREMIUMS]

Gone up
a lot

Gone up
a little

Not
changed

Gone
down
a little

Gone
down
a lot

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

24

48

22

3

1

2

2007 Nov 11-14

26

43

26

2

1

3

2006 Nov 9-12

29

46

19

3

1

3

2005 Nov 7-10

28

46

23

2

*

1

2004 Nov 7-10

28

48

17

5

1

1

2003 Nov 3-5

31

43

23

*

1

2

Within the last twelve months, have you or a member of your family put off any sort of medical treatment because of the cost you would have to pay?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

29

70

1

2007 Nov 11-14

30

70

*

2006 Nov 9-12

30

69

1

2005 Nov 7-10

28

71

1

2004 Nov 7-10

26

74

*

2003 Nov 3-5

24

76

*

2002 Nov 11-14

25

75

*

2001 Nov 8-11

19

81

*

1991 Jan 3-6

22

77

1

* Less than 0.5%

When you put off this medical treatment, was it for a condition or illness that was -- very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not at all serious?

[BASED ON WHO PUT OFF MEDICAL TREATMENT DUE TO COSTS]

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not very
serious

Not at all
serious

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

17

41

30

10

2

2007 Nov 11-14

15

45

28

10

2

2006 Nov 9-12

10

48

32

9

2

2005 Nov 7-10

18

37

31

13

1

2004 Nov 7-10

16

44

30

10

*

2003 Nov 3-5

6

42

44

8

1

2002 Nov 11-14

16

43

31

9

1

2001 Nov 8-11

15

47

23

13

2

1991 Jan 3-6

15

37

37

10

1

[COMBINED RESPONSES]

Put off
treatment
for serious
condition

Put off
treatment for
non-serious
condition

Did not
put off
treatment

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

2008 Nov 13-16

17

12

70

1

2007 Nov 11-14

18

11

70

1

2006 Nov 9-12

18

12

69

1

2005 Nov 7-10

16

12

71

1

2004 Nov 7-10

16

10

74

*

2003 Nov 3-5

12

13

75

*

2002 Nov 11-14

15

10

75

*

2001 Nov 8-11

12

7

81

*

1991 Jan 3-6

11

11

77

1

Now, thinking about your physical health, for how many days during the past month was your physical health not good? [Open-ended]

None

<1

1

2

3

4

5-10

11+

No
opin.

Mean

Median

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

2007 Nov

53

*

7

9

4

2

10

12

2

4.0

0

2006 Nov

51

1

7

10

4

2

10

12

2

4.2

0

2005 Nov

53

*

9

7

5

2

11

10

3

3.6

0

2004 Nov

56

*

9

8

3

2

9

12

1

4.0

0

2003 Nov

54

1

7

9

6

3

8

10

1

3.4

0

2002 Nov

54

1

7

9

5

2

9

10

3

3.5

0

2001 Nov

52

*

7

9

4

3

11

12

2

4.0

0

* Less than 0.5%

During the past month, for about how many days did poor physical health keep you from doing your usual activities, such as self-care, work or recreation? [Open-ended]

None

<1

1

2

3

4

5-10

11+

No
opin.

Mean

Median

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

National adults

2007 Nov

69

*

4

4

3

1

7

9

3

2.9

0

2006 Nov

69

1

4

6

4

1

7

8

2

2.7

0

2005 Nov

73

*

5

4

4

1

5

6

2

1.8

0

2004 Nov

71

--

7

4

2

1

5

8

2

2.6

0

2003 Nov

74

*

5

4

2

1

5

6

2

2.0

0

2002 Nov

72

*

5

4

3

1

5

7

3

2.4

0

2001 Nov

73

*

5

4

3

2

6

7

*

2.3

0

Experienced poor physical health ^

2007 Nov

36

1

10

9

6

3

15

21

1

6.5

2

2006 Nov

39

1

8

12

8

2

14

16

1

5.7

2

2005 Nov

46

*

10

10

9

3

10

11

1

4.0

1

2004 Nov

34

--

16

10

5

3

12

19

1

6.1

1

2003 Nov

43

*

12

10

5

3

12

13

2

4.4

1

2002 Nov

41

1

11

9

6

2

12

17

1

5.3

1

2001 Nov

43

*

10

8

7

3

14

14

*

5.0

1

^ Based on who experienced day(s) of poor physical health

* Less than 0.5%

Now, thinking about your mental health or emotional well being, for how many days during the past month was either of these not good? [Open-ended]

None

<1

1

2

3

4

5-10

11+

No
opin.

Mean

Median

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

2007 Nov

64

*

5

7

3

1

10

7

3

2.5

0

2006 Nov

60

1

4

9

5

2

10

9

2

2.9

0

2005 Nov

60

1

4

6

5

2

11

9

2

3.0

0

2004 Nov

65

*

7

6

3

1

8

9

1

2.9

0

2003 Nov

64

*

4

7

6

2

8

7

2

2.4

0

2002 Nov

61

1

5

7

4

2

9

8

3

2.6

0

2001 Nov

62

*

5

8

4

2

9

8

2

2.7

0

* Less than 0.5%

During the past month, for about how many days did poor mental health or emotional well being keep you from doing your usual activities, such as self-care, work or recreation? [Open-ended]

None

<1

1

2

3

4

5-10

11+

No
opin.

Mean

Median

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

National adults

2007 Nov

83

--

1

2

1

1

4

4

3

1.3

0

2006 Nov

80

*

2

3

2

1

4

5

2

1.6

0

2005 Nov

83

*

2

2

2

*

5

4

2

1.3

0

2004 Nov

83

--

3

2

1

*

5

5

1

1.7

0

2003 Nov

85

*

2

1

2

*

3

4

2

1.0

0

2002 Nov

82

*

3

1

1

1

5

4

3

1.5

0

2001 Nov

85

*

3

2

1

1

4

4

*

1.3

0

Experienced poor mental health ^

2007 Nov

57

--

4

6

4

2

13

13

2

4.0

0

2006 Nov

53

*

5

8

6

3

11

13

1

4.2

0

2005 Nov

61

*

6

6

4

*

12

11

*

3.3

0

2004 Nov

54

--

8

5

3

1

14

15

--

4.9

0

2003 Nov

62

1

6

4

6

1

9

11

1

2.9

0

2002 Nov

57

*

7

4

4

2

13

12

1

4.0

0

2001 Nov

58

*

7

5

4

2

11

12

1

3.7

0

^ Based on who experienced day(s) of poor mental health

* Less than 0.5%

Generally, how many days per week do you participate in each of the following activities -- or do you participate less than once a week or not at all? How about -- [ROTATED]?

A. Vigorous sports or physical activities for at least 20 minutes that cause large increases in breathing or heart rate

Not
at all

<1

1-2

3-4

5-6

7

No
opin.

Mean

Median

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

National adults

2007 Nov

45

4

19

19

9

4

1

1.7

1

2006 Nov

45

4

21

18

7

5

1

1.6

1

2005 Nov

49

3

18

16

8

5

1

1.6

0

2004 Nov

45

5

21

17

8

4

*

1.6

0

2003 Nov

46

5

18

17

8

5

1

1.6

0

2002 Nov

51

3

17

17

7

4

1

1.5

0

2001 Nov

43

5

20

18

9

5

*

1.7

1

* Less than 0.5%

B. Moderate sports or recreational activities that cause slight increases in breathing or heart rate, such as walking, gardening, or other similar activities

Not
at all

<1

1-2

3-4

5-6

7

No
opin.

Mean

Median

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

National adults

2007 Nov

15

2

24

26

16

17

1

3.3

3

2006 Nov

15

2

28

25

15

14

1

3.0

3

2005 Nov

14

2

25

26

15

17

1

3.3

3

2004 Nov

14

2

28

24

17

15

*

3.2

3

2003 Nov

16

3

27

25

16

14

*

3.1

3

2002 Nov

17

2

27

23

15

16

*

3.1

3

2001 Nov

16

2

25

24

15

18

*

3.2

3

* Less than 0.5%

C. Weight lifting or weight training

Not
at all

<1

1-2

3-4

5-6

7

No
opin.

Mean

Median

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

National adults

2007 Nov

70

3

12

10

3

2

*

0.8

0

2006 Nov

71

2

11

12

2

2

*

0.8

0

2005 Nov

72

3

12

10

2

1

*

0.7

0

2004 Nov

72

3

9

12

3

1

*

0.8

0

2003 Nov

71

2

11

10

4

2

*

0.8

0

2002 Nov

73

2

10

11

3

1

*

0.7

0

* Less than 0.5%

[Total Exercise Index]

High

Medium

Low

Sedentary

Undesignated

%

%

%

%

%

National adults

2007 Nov

32

19

25

24

1

2006 Nov

29

21

21

27

1

2005 Nov

29

19

24

27

1

2004 Nov

29

21

22

28

*

2003 Nov

30

18

22

29

1

2002 Nov

28

17

22

32

1

2001 Nov

31

20

21

27

1

* Less than 0.5%

How would you describe your own health at this time? Would you say your health is -- excellent, good, just fair, or poor?

Excellent

Good

Just
fair


Poor

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2007 Jul 12-15

29

51

14

5

*

2006 Jul 6-9

29

52

15

4

*

2005 Jul 7-10

31

51

14

4

*

2004 Jul 8-11

34

48

14

4

*

2003 Jul 7-9

31

48

16

5

--

2002 Jul 9-11

30

47

18

4

1

2001 Jul 19-22

32

49

16

3

*

2001 Apr 11-19 ^

26

55

16

3

*

^ A.M.A./Gallup poll

* Less than 0.5%

For each of the following health conditions, please say whether you think it is a very serious problem in Africa, a somewhat serious problem, or not a serious problem? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

2006 Dec 8-10
(sorted by "very serious")

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not
serious

No
opinion

%

%

%

5

HIV or AIDS

96

2

--

2

Poor nutrition

88

11

1

1

Malaria

62

26

3

8

Tuberculosis

53

30

5

13

Cancer

30

37

14

19

For each of the following health conditions, please say whether you think it is a very serious problem around the world, a somewhat serious problem, or not a serious problem? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

2006 Dec 8-10
(sorted by "very serious")

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not
serious

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

HIV or AIDS

89

10

1

*

Cancer

87

11

1

--

Poor nutrition

80

18

1

1

Tuberculosis

31

48

17

3

Malaria

28

47

20

4

* Less than 0.5%

Just your best guess, what percentage of babies born today are born with a birth defect?

Less
than
5%

5%-
less
than
10%

10%-
less
than
20%

20%
or more

No
opin.

Mean

Median

2006 Nov 9-12

15%

17

22

31

15

16.5

10

Next, thinking about the causes of birth defects today, based on what you know and have read, would you say each of the following does or does not cause birth defects? [RANDOM ORDER]


2006 Nov 9-12
(sorted by "yes, does cause")

Yes,
does
cause

No,
does
not


No
opinion

%

%

%

The mother taking drugs during pregnancy

99

*

1

The mother being exposed to toxic substances during pregnancy

95

3

1

The mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy

94

4

2

Genetics or family history

90

7

2

The mother smoking during pregnancy

88

9

3

The mother not getting adequate prenatal care during pregnancy

78

19

3

The mother not taking the proper vitamins during pregnancy

63

34

3

Are you currently taking any prescription medication, or not?

Yes

No

No opinion

2005 Nov 7-10

52%

48

*

2003 Nov 10-12

48%

52

*

* Less than 0.5%

Are you taking prescription medication to treat a long-term illness or condition, a short-term illness or condition, or both?

[BASED ADULTS CURRENTLY TAKING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION]

Long-term

Short-term

Both

No opinion

2005 Nov 7-10

66%

13

18

3

2003 Nov 10-12

66%

16

16

2

Are you taking prescription medication for a physical condition, a psychological or emotional condition, or both?

[BASED ADULTS CURRENTLY TAKING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION]

Physical

Psychological/
Emotional

Both

No
opinion

2005 Nov 7-10

78%

5

13

4

2003 Nov 10-12

75%

5

15

5

What is your best estimate of the total amount of money you pay out of pocket EACH MONTH for prescription drugs? [OPEN-ENDED]

[BASED ADULTS CURRENTLY TAKING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION]

$0/
nothing

$1-
$25/
month

$26-
$50/
month

$51-
$100/
month

$101-
$200/
month

More
than
$200/
month

No
opin-
ion

Mean

Median

2005 Nov

6%

22

27

19

13

10

3

$89

$50

2003 Nov

8%

21

23

21

13

10

4

$98

$50

Do you think it is important for people to have a routine medical check-up each year, or not?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

Yes, is
important

No,
is not

No
opinion

2005 Nov 7-10

92%

8

--

Do you think it is important for people your age to have a routine medical check-up each year, or not?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

Yes, is
important

No,
is not

No
opinion

2005 Nov 7-10

95%

5

--

Have you, personally, had a routine medical check-up in the past year, or not?

Yes

No

No opinion

2005 Nov 7-10

78%

21

1

Do you have a personal doctor you usually go to when you are sick, or not?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2005 Nov 7-10

82

18

*

1994 Jan 20-Feb 13 ^

79

21

--

1993 Jan 22-Feb 8 ^

77

23

--

1992 Jan 23-Feb 17 ^

79

20

*

1991 Jan 3-6 ^

80

20

*

^ Gallup/American Medical Association survey

Thinking about your own health, which, if any, of the following applies to you? [RANDOM ORDER]

A. You have a physical disability that limits your activity

Yes

No

No opinion

2004 Nov 7-10

21%

79

*

2001 Nov 8-11

21%

79

*

* Less than 0.5%

B. You have a long-term medical condition, illness or disease

Yes

No

No opinion

2004 Nov 7-10

31%

69

*

2001 Nov 8-11

28%

72

*

C. You have been sick with a short-term illness sometime in the past 30 days

Yes

No

No opinion

2004 Nov 7-10

24%

76

*

2001 Nov 8-11

24%

76

*

* Less than 0.5%

Using your best estimate, in total, how many times have you visited a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or some other mental health official in the last twelve months? [Record exact number]

None

1

2


3


4


5-10


11 +

No
opin.

Mean

Median

2004 Nov

87%

2

2

1

1

2

4

1

1.5

0

2001 Nov

90%

2

1

1

1

2

3

*

1.1

0

Using your best estimate, in total, how many times have you visited a doctor in the last twelve months? [Record exact number]


None


1


2


3


4


5-10


11 +

No
opin.

Mean

Median

2004 Nov

9%

16

19

13

9

19

14

1

6.3

3

2001 Nov

13%

20

18

12

8

18

10

1

4.7

2

1991 Jun

16%

19

17

14

7

16

10

1

--

--

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