Ipsos Report: Mental Health Now Top Global Health Concern
Ipsos' latest global survey indicates mental health is the primary concern for 45% of respondents worldwide, surpassing cancer and obesity. The report details perceptions of healthcare systems and emerging drug awareness.
Mental health has emerged as the leading health concern globally, with 45% of people in 30 surveyed countries identifying it as their biggest health problem, according to the Ipsos Health Service Report 2025. This figure represents a significant increase from 27% in 2018, highlighting a growing societal focus on psychological well-being.
The report, which surveyed attitudes towards healthcare systems, found that cancer (41%) and obesity (25%) followed mental health as major concerns. Stress was also identified as a significant issue by 31% of respondents, with nearly 60% reporting periods of overwhelming stress in the past year.
Awareness of GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, remains relatively low globally, with only 36% having heard of them. Awareness is considerably higher in the United States, where 74% are familiar with these medications. Despite discussions about their effectiveness in weight management, only a small fraction of the global population expects these drugs to significantly reduce obesity rates in their countries within the next decade.
Perceptions of healthcare quality vary widely. On average, 43% rate their healthcare as good, while 28% rate it as poor. Malaysia and the Netherlands reported the highest satisfaction, whereas countries like the UK and Canada have seen notable declines in their ratings. Many European nations anticipate a future decline in healthcare quality despite current satisfaction levels.