Respiratory disease and high cholesterol top two Aussie illnesses

More than one in 10 internet users in Australia suffers from respiratory disease such as asthma and bronchitis (12%) and high cholesterol (11%), making them the two main illnesses affecting Australians, according to marketing and media information company, ACNielsen.

In a recently released global consumer report on health concerns, ACNielsen surveyed 25,408 internet users in 46 markets from Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East, including 500 consumers in Australia, about their attitudes to, and concerns with, disease and health issues.

The number of Australians suffering from a respiratory disease was one of the highest across the 46 countries surveyed, being 4% above the global average and second only to Thailand.

While respiratory disease and high cholesterol were the main illnesses affecting Australians, skin cancer and heart disease were the main causes for concern.

Overall, women were more concerned about their health than men, mainly being diagnosed with breast cancer (34%) or skin cancer (30%).

Men’s main health concern was heart disease with 25% saying it was a worry for them, and 26% for skin cancer.

In addressing their health concerns the majority of online consumers (79%) said they had made or planned to make lifestyle changes to avoid their main health concerns.