Health.(Opinion Pulse)

Most Americans say they are healthy. The progress the nation has made can be seen by looking at the responses older people have given to that question over time. Still, 50 percent say that they or someone in their family is overweight. The proportion of Americans with health insurance coverage hovers around 80 percent in most surveys. The responses to a Harris question reveal the political sensitivity of health care. More people prefer to keep current health benefits than to get a pay raise with reduced benefits. Most people say they are satisfied with the quality of their care and their ability to get appointments and see specialists. People are less happy with costs, but here, too, 59 percent report satisfaction.

 
Question: Would you say ...? 
 
In 1972, 51 percent 
of those ages 60 and 
over said their health 
was excellent or 
good. In 2002, 68 
percent gave that 
response. 
 
My own health, in 
general, is excellent   31% 
Good                    46 
Fair                    17 
Poor                     6 
 
Source: National Opinion Research Center, February-June 2002. 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Question: Are you ...? 
 
I am, or someone 
in my family is, 
overweight         50% 
 
Extremely 
overweight          5% 
Very 
overweight         16 
Somewhat 
overweight         48 
Slightly 
overweight         31 
 
Note: Sample is families. 
Source: The Gallup Organization for Reader's Digest, April-May 2003. 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Question: Do you ...? 
 
Have some form of health 
insurance or health care coverage   83% 
Do not                              17% 
 
Note: Sixty percent of Americans in this survey were covered 
by a private plan, 15 percent by ...