(7 side, more than 8-in-b say they exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals.

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1 Institute RELEASE INFORMATION appear in Sunday s Star-Ledger. Other newspapers may also use this information in their A story based on the survey findings presented in this release and background memo will RSIRSE SL/EP 29-5 (EP 79-5) OR BOB CARTER FOR Rflfl3E SUNDAY, AUGUST CONTACT: JANICE BALI-CU RUT(3ERS Eagleton - Ca Politics New- irtnwitk-. New JersevO8W ,22?U. H HE STATE UNt!PSN cc NPW JB&V (201) (Rutgers Feature Phone). ATIThTION RADIO STATItAsba I eiln. aft 5S pa a S rday,j- U, 19W frc. -: V -more excellent (36%) or good (41%), this is a 6 point decline from five years ago when While 77 percent of the state s residents describe their physical health as health plan, 10 percent do not have health care coverage. adults, also found that while about 9-in-b have some type of medical insurance or The survey, conducted by telephone between July 2 and 10 with 800 New Jersey New Jerseyans are at moderate or high risk of having an alcohol problem. stress and 1-in-3 say they are overweight. Based on their drinking habits, 30 percent of identified some health problems. Fifty-six percent have recently been under a lot of However, in the latest Star-Ledger/Eagleton Poll state residents have also (7 side, more than 8-in-b say they exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals. point decline from five years ago, and less than 3-in-lO now smoke. Also on the plus addition, less than half of the state s residents say they have ever smoked cigarettes--a 13 Overall, New Jerseyans are feeling good about their own health. In a selfassessment, about 3-in-4 state residents say that they are in excellent or good health. In SMOKING IS DOWN; STRESS IS UP THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF NEW JERSEYANS Sunday editions. Electronic media may release after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 11, We ask users to properly attribute this copyrighted information to the Star-Ledger/Eagleton Poll. (FILe tac-icbgtr/eagleton POLL

2 than those who are 30 to 49 years old (86%) or years old (84%). 50 years old or older are less likely to say they are in excellent or good health (64%) 83 percent rated their health positively. As would be expected, New Jerseyans who are C -more- srnnkinp.. about smoking in public places and fewer people are experimenting with cigarette commented Janice Bailou, Director of the Poll. There is major shift in their concern in 1985 and a 20 point change from 44 percent in By a margin of almost 2-to-i, Clearly, people in New Jersey have changed their opinions about smoking, more non- smokers (74%) than smokers (42%) view public smoking as a health hazard. endangers their own health. This is a 7 point increase from 57 percent who felt this way About 2-in-3 state residents (64%) feel that people smoking in public places percent said that they had tried to stop smoking. still smoke, 74 percent have seriously tried to stop. In comparison, five years ago 70 less than the 32 percent who said they were still smoking in Among those who (38%). In addition, just 29 percent report they are still smoking. This is just slightly say they had smoked than those who are years old (41%) or 50 years or older had smoked regularly at some time. Younger state residents (57%) are more likely to cigarettes regularly compared to 55 percent who have not. In 1985, 58 percent said they smoking. Forty-five percent of the state s residents report that they have ever smoked Compared to five years ago, fewer people in the Garden State have tried regular basis. These percentages are almost the same as was reported five years ago. eat regular and well balanced meals and 84 percent get some kind of exercise on a There are other signs of good health in New Jersey. Eighty-five percent feel they EP79-5 (SL/EP29-5) Page 2

3 previous week--56 percent compared to 51 percent. Those most likely to report stress 1985 there has been a 5 point increase in the number reporting a lot of stress in the that effect state residents. A majority of New Jerseyans experience stress. And, since Stress, being overweight, and alcohol use are three other unhealthy conditions -more- (93%). While.alrnnct all--99 percent-,ej thnsahaving family izwnniec.af.mare than. type of medical plan than those who are years old (94%) or 50 years old or older coverage. However, those:.wha are years old (79%) are less likely to have any Eighty-nine percent of the state s residents have some type of health care women (24%) to be considered a high or moderate risk drinker. high risk of having an alcohol problem. In addition, men (38%) are more likely than compared to 5 percent who are and 2 percent of those over fifty years old have a twice as likely to be in the high risk category. Eleven percent of those who are low risk. Twenty-fIve percent say they do not usually drink. Younger state residents are having a high risk of an alcohol problem, 25 percent a moderate risk, and 44 percent a the frequency and amount New Jerseyans say they drink, 5 percent can be classified as Alcohol abuse is a potential health problem for 3-in-10 state residents. Based on to 20 pounds. percent feel they should lose more than 20 pounds and 35 percent would like to drop 11 of those who feel they are overweight would like to lose more than ten pounds 36 are more likely than men (31%) to say they weigh more than they should. Seven-in-ten Being overweight is a concern for 34 percent of New Jerseyans. Women (37%) say they suffer from stress. older (49%) are less likely to experience stress. More women (62%) than men (50%) are people years old (66%), while those years old (55%) and 50 years old or EP79-5 (SL/EP25) Page 3

4 lower 83 percent of people with family incomes less than $20,000 have health coverage. and 91 percent of those in the $20,001$30,000 range have medical insurance. A much Copyright, August 12, 1990, The Eagleton Institute and Newark Star-Ledger medical exams in This recent survey also shows that 10 percent have a medical men (58%) to have an annual medical exam. percent of New Jerseyans who are years old. Women (74%) are more likely than they have an annual exam compared to 67 percent of those years old and 59 once every 5 years. Seventy-three percent of residents who are 50 years old or older say exam once every two years, 12 percent every two to five years, and 10 percent less than Garden State. This is a 4 point increase from the 62 percent who reported annual A medical check-up is an annual event for 66 percent of those who live in the EP79-6 (SL/EP29-5) Page 4 C. $50,000 have health care coverage, 92 percent of those with incomes of $30,001-$50,000 ç

5 Politics BACKGROUND MEMO-RETE4SE SLfEPI9-5 (EP79-5h SUNDAY, AUGUST possible sources of error inherent in any public opinion study. The questions and figures referred to in this release are presented below. The Location of each question on the actual questionnaire is indicated in brackets. New Jerseyans, 18 years and older, was interviewed by telephone. The sampling error associated with this size The latest L r/eagleton Poll was conducted between July 2 and 10, 1990, when a random sample of 800 sample is.±.3.s percent at a 95 percent confidence interval. Sampling error does not take into account the other RUTC3ER.S Eagletan institute - New; Brunick New deney 0& / O. flie STATE UNSSW Cf NEW V --Male (400) May (498) --Female (400) Gender --Soorover (294) (325) (158) July % 10% 12% 10% 1% 99% (800) A Year 2 Years 2-5 Years 5 Years Know Ictl Once Once Every Every Once Every.Don t LessThan two to five years, or less than once every five years? [0.40] About how often do you see a doctor for a medical check-un or physical exam, once a year, once every two years, 9n 1981 the question asked, Would you say your health, in general, is excellent, good, only fair or poor? May (500) June (1,000) --SOorover (294) (326) (158) July % 41% 17% 7% 0% 101% (800) Excellent Good Eir Know Only Don t fair or poor? [0.39] Now on another topic, how would you describe your own state of physical health these days--excellent, good, only (Flit %tar-icbgcr/eagleton POLL

6 (158) (326) July % 10% 1% 100% (804)) Don t Know ç Are you currently covered by any type of medical insurance or health plan? [0.41] statement I read. 1n 1985 the question asked Thinking about your own condition please tell me if you agree or disagree with each May (499) --Female : (400) -Male (400) Gender --Soorover (294) (326) (158) July % 40% 1% 101% (800) for my ae and heiht. I am aba the right weight May (500) July % 15% 1% 100% (800) on a reu1ar basis. I get some kind of exercise May (499) July % 14% 0% 99% (800) balanced meals. I eat regular and weu Agree Disaaree Don t Know 111 Thinking about your own health, please tell me if you agree or disagree with each statement I read. [0.42] --Over$50, (139) --$20,001-$30, (119) --$30,001-$50, (222) --Under $20, (114) 1ncom --S0orover (294) EPc 9-5 (SL/EP295) - 2-

7 42 July % 6% 1% 60% 101% (800) Don t Right Know Weight I1 Would, you weigh more or less than you should? [0.431 Gender May Z H (5O0 --Female (400) --Male (400) (158) (326) July % 55% 101% (800) Don t Know of cigarettes per month.) [Q.46] Have you ever smoked cigarettes regularly during your life? ( Regularly is defined as smoking at least one pack Gender - - May (499) --Male (400) --Female (400) --Soorover (294) (158) (326) July % 43% 1% 100% (800) C Don t Know I1 Thinking back over the past week, have there been any times you felt you were under a lot of stress? [Q-1 July % 27% 35% 36% 0% 100% (275) Than 5 lbs. 10 1b5, 20 lbs. Than 20 lbs. Know Ic1Lal Less 5 To 11 To More Don t than 20 pounds? [Q.44] (Asked of those who weigh more than they should.) How much weight do you think you should lose--less than 5 pounds, 5 to 10 pounds, 11 to 21) pounds, or more --Female (400) --Male (400) --5oorover ]. (294) (158) (326) 3 EP79-5 (SL/Efl 95) - -

8 50 or over (294)..3(J (326) July % 72% 101% (800) IQti ( Do you smoke cigarettes flow? [Q.47] (158) Drinks Drinks Drinks More Know July % 18% 4% 3% 1% 100% (626) 1-Z. 3-4.J Dai. :. -- of wine, or one mixed drink (or shot) of liquor). [Oil] On days when you have a drink, how many do you usually have? (1 drink equals one 12 oz. beer or 5 a. glass July L990 23% 24% 20% 9% 23% 1% 100% (800) A Year A Month A Week A Week Never Know ]gjj Don t More Than twice a week, more than once or twice a week, or never? How often do you usually drink alcoholic beverages--about once or twice a year, once or twice a month, once or July % 33% 2% 99% (800) May (500) Endangers Difference Don t Health To Health Know 12th May (1,007) Not A Great --Smokers (234) --Non Smokers (569) difference to your health? [Q.49J Do you think that people smoking in public places around you endangers your health; or doesn t it make a great May (150) July % 26% 100% (204) 12th 111 Have you ever made a serious attempt to stop smoking cigarettes entirely? (Asked of those who flow smoke.) [Q.48J May (495) Erg-s (SL/EP29-5) - 4.

9 July % 44% 25% 5% 99% (800) Abstains Rink Low Moderate High EP79-5 (SL/EP29$) - - ( C or more per week; high risk are those who have five or more drinks per drinking occassion. Alcohol risk is estimated by combining information about usual frequency of drinking and quantity of drinks more than twice a month are low risk ; ode ate risk includes those who have between one and four drinks once consumed. Those who did not drink are classified as abstainers ; those drinking between one and four drinks no --Female (400) --Male (400) Gender --50orover (294) 3Q (326) (158) ALCOHOL RISK CLASSIFICA-I IONS*

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