Canadians and Life-Threatening Illnesses

Two-Thirds (66%) of Canadians Would Investigate and Use Alternative Medicines for Life-Threatening Illnesses Even if their Doctor Was Against It

Toronto, ON - The results of an Ipsos-Reid/CTV poll released today show that many Canadians are preoccupied about contracting a life-threatening illness. In all, 52 percent of Canadians say that they think about the possibility of contracting a life-threatening illness at least once a month. Meanwhile, in an effort to reduce their chances of contracting a life-threatening illness, many Canadians say they are "eating better" (50%) or "exercising more" (33%). Finally, 66 percent of Canadians say that even if their doctor was against the idea, they would investigate and use alternative or non-traditional medicines if they or someone in their family contracted a life-threatening illness.

These are the findings of an Ipsos-Reid/CTV poll conducted between March 8th and March 10th, 2001. The poll is based on a randomly selected sample of 803 adult Canadians. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to the 1996 Census data.

Majority (52%) of Canadians Think About the Possibility of Contracting a Life-Threatening Illness at Least Once a Month

A majority (52%) of Canadians say that they personally think about the possibility of contracting a life-threatening illness such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease or heart disease at least once a month. In fact, one in ten (11%) say they think about it "once a day" and almost one in five (17%) think about it "every week". The balance (24%) say they think about it "every month". In contrast, 47 percent of Canadians say they think about the possibility of contracting a life-threatening disease "less than once a month". Currently, 56 percent of Canadians report knowing someone who is suffering from a life-threatening illness.

• Older Canadians (58%) are more likely than younger Canadians (49%) to think about contracting a life-threatening illness at least once a month.
• Women (55%) are slightly more likely than men (49%) to think about contracting a life-threatening illness.

"Eating Better" (50%) and "Exercising More" (33%) are Top Changes Canadians Have Made to Reduce their Chance of Contracting a Life-Threatening Illness

Many Canadians say they have made lifestyle changes in an effort to reduce their chance of contracting a life-threatening disease. The number one change is "eating better/healthier" (50%), followed by "exercising more" (33%). Meanwhile, more than a quarter of Canadians (27%) say that they are not making any lifestyle changes to reduce their chance of contracting a life-threatening illness.

• Women (57%) are more likely than men (44%) to say they are "eating better".
• Men (30%) are more likely than women (24%) to say they are doing nothing.

Two-Thirds (66%) of Canadians Would Investigate and Use Alternative Medicines for Life-Threatening Illnesses Even if their Doctor Was Against It

Although many medical practitioners do not recommend the use of alternative or non-traditional medicines in treating life-threatening illnesses, if faced with a life-threatening illness, two-thirds (66%) of Canadians say they would be likely to investigate and use these medicines even if their doctor was against it. More than one-third (37%) say they would be "very likely" to investigate and use alternative medicines and three in ten (30%) say they would be "somewhat likely". Three in ten (32%) Canadians say they would not be likely to use alternative medicines, including one in five (20%) who would be "not very likely" and one in ten (12%) who would be "not likely at all".

• Older Canadians (54%) are much less likely than middle aged (69%) or younger (72%) Canadians to say they would investigate and use alternative medicines.
• Quйbecers (53%) are less likely than residents of any other province to say they would use alternative medicines.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice President
Public Affairs
Ipsos-Reid
(416) 324-2900