According to a survey, cancer and dementia are still the diseases that most people in Germany are particularly afraid of – but the trend is decreasing. 65 percent say they are most afraid of getting cancer, according to the survey commissioned by the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit. A year ago it was 72 percent. 45 percent are now most worried about dementia and Alzheimer’s, compared to 55 percent in the 2022 survey.
Other major health fears were an accident with serious injuries (42 percent), stroke (41 percent) and heart attack (38 percent), although the mentions were also lower than a year before. According to the survey, 10 percent are now particularly afraid of corona disease – after 18 percent a year ago.
Treasurer Andreas Storm pointed out that, according to the survey, fears of mental illness were most common among young adults. Concerns about depression and burnout were mentioned by 27 percent of all respondents, and 48 percent among 14 to 29 year olds. “Young people must not be left alone with their concerns,” Storm told the German Press Agency.
For the annual survey, the Forsa Institute surveyed 1,003 people aged 14 and over nationwide from October 30th to November 2nd.
