What Our Survey Found

Results of a BERGEN questionnaire suggest that area women have wellness much in mind.

Ever wanted to probe your neighbors with personal questions about their health and how they protect it? Taking a survey is the next best thing. It folds intimate realities into the discreet impersonality of math, and we can all relate to the juicy truths tucked inside the numbers. After all, we all have bodies aging every day and subject to illness, and we all have our fears, hopes and ways of taking care of ourselves.

A scientific sample? Well, no. The 125 women who recently answered our questions constitute a demographic more than typically inclined to come to health events—because, uh, they came to BERGEN’s health event. The Women’s Health & Wellness Event at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale in November was the scene of the voluntary survey, and our five-question, multiple-choice evaluation was designed to assess respondents’ personal health concerns. Question by question, here’s what we learned:

“What’s the most important issue concerning your health?”

“Which of the following preventive care items do you schedule regularly?” “What are your health goals for the new year?”

“What does ‘wellness’ mean to you?”

Heart disease (46 votes) and cancer (41) are the two issues our survey responders say are most concerning. Women also suggest that mental health (34) and gynecologic health (30) are among their worries. Not listed in our question as a multiple-choice selection but written in by several responders are concerns about arthritis, weight and obesity, and diabetes.

46

disease Heart

41

Cancer 34

health Mental

30

Gynecologic health

15

Fair

33

Excellent

76 Good How would you rate your health?”

Out of the 125 responses, 33 women say they are in “excellent” health while another 76 rate their health as “good.” Fifteen women report their health is “fair,” and only one says she’s in “poor” condition.

Ninety women who took our poll say better nutrition and eating habits top their list of 2023 priorities, while another 73 report that getting in shape is part of their plan for the year. Improving balance between work and life also receives votes here (49), as does making preventive care appointments (29).

90

and nutrition Better habits eating

73

shape in Getting Improving between balance life and work

49

preventive Making appointments care

29

115 Dental cleanings 110 annual physical exams 108 Gynecologic checkups 100 Flu shots 98 Mammograms

Our event attendees are keeping up with their appointments: 115 women say they stay regular with dental cleanings, 110 of them note that they have their annual physical exams and 108 say they’re up-to-date with gyn checkups. Regular flu shots (100 votes) and mammograms (98) are also routine for many of our respondents. Not listed as questionnaire selections, bone density and dermatology exams were the top write-in preventivecare items.

109

Keeping fit/eating health and Making time for self-care 92

of top on Staying screenings regular

73

access to Having top-notch care

Results show that women believe “wellness” equally suggests keeping fit/eating healthy and making time for self-care—those choices garner 109 votes each. Staying on top of regular screenings and well visits also bespeaks wellness for many in our group (92), as does having access to topnotch care (73).

An ultimate lesson to draw from our survey results? That might be clear if we could wait a decade or two and compare these women’s health “outcomes” with averages in the population. That’s because, obsessiveness aside, staying mindful of your health and acting to protect it—as these women do—can only help.