Having a say in the HPA

The Health Protection Agency wants to find out what people know and think about public health issues and hazards like infectious diseases, chemicals, poisons, and radiation.

 

What people said

In September 2007, the Agency asked two samples of over 1,500 adults aged over 15 years across England what they knew and understood about health protection issues and the Agency.

The results show us that:

• 1 in 3 people are aware of the HPA and 9 out of 10 would be likely or certain to take our advice in a future health emergency;
• The vast majority of people think that the role of the HPA in providing the following services is important:
  • Providing advice on environmental hazards
  • Assisting health services to prepare for and respond to emergencies like chemical or nuclear threats
  • Protecting people from new diseases

• Age is a factor as to whether you are concerned about a public health issue. Older people are more concerned than younger people
• The top three public health issues that concern people are health care acquired infections like MRSA, air pollution and infectious diseases like TB and flu

You can download the full report hereGeneral Public Awareness and Branding Research (PDF, 462 KB),

or if you would like a copy posted to you,

email publicinvolvement@hpa.org.uk

or write to us at

Health Protection Agency
Eastbrook, Cambridge
Shaftsbury Road
Cambridge CB2 8DF

 

We want you to get involved

Our public opinion survey was just the beginning. We want people to help us develop our services.

In the spring we will be running discussion groups at venues across the country where people can talk about the health information and advice we provide and make suggestions for making it better.

If you would like to join our list of volunteers for the discussion groups, or would just like to receive more information about the Agency, please complete our online form.

 

Technical Detail

Ipsos MORI interviewed representative quota samples of 1,685 and 1,586 adults aged over 15 in England, face-to-face, in-home between 20-25 September 2007 and 21-27 September 2007 respectively, using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) omnibus methodology. All data have been weighted to the known profile of the population.

This information is also available in leaflet form

Have Your Say Public Leaflet (PDF, 617 KB)

Last reviewed: 3 March 2008