Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Exercise is good for you. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Stop smoking. Drink less alcohol. Such messages abound in public health campaigns and there is a firm belief that they will ultimately change behaviour. This is based on the assumption that individuals are motivated to change behaviours to reduce their individual health risks. But according to a study by Statistics Canada, this is not the case.

Thousands of patients are dying in hospitals each year because there are not enough doctors or nurses, research shows.