Researchers in Italy surveyed over 2,000 people to understand why some folks are great at taking care of their health while others skip important preventive steps like check-ups and healthy eating. They found five different groups of people based on their health habits. Men, younger adults, and people who don’t trust health information were more likely to skip preventive care. Interestingly, how educated someone is didn’t matter as much as whether they felt confident managing their own health. The study shows that one-size-fits-all health advice doesn’t work—different groups of people need different approaches to stay healthy.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Why do some people regularly do things to prevent illness (like getting check-ups, eating well, and exercising) while others don’t? Researchers wanted to find out what makes the difference.
  • Who participated: 2,090 adults living in a diverse region of northern Italy. The group included people from different backgrounds, ages, education levels, and health situations. Some spoke Italian as a second language, and some had chronic diseases.
  • Key finding: Men, younger people, those living alone, and people who don’t trust health information were significantly more likely to skip preventive health behaviors. People who felt confident managing their own health were more likely to take preventive steps.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a man, young, or skeptical about health advice, you might need extra motivation or reminders to stay on top of preventive care. The good news is that building confidence in managing your own health appears to be a key factor in actually doing these behaviors.

The Research Details

This was a snapshot study where researchers surveyed a large group of people at one point in time. They asked 2,090 people in northern Italy about their health habits using a questionnaire with 16 questions about preventive behaviors like exercising, eating well, getting check-ups, and brushing teeth. The researchers then used statistical analysis to group people into five different categories based on how many preventive behaviors they actually did. Finally, they looked at what factors predicted whether someone would be in the ’low engagement’ group versus the ‘moderate prevention’ group.

Instead of assuming everyone needs the same health advice, this approach recognizes that people fall into different groups with different needs. By understanding these groups and what predicts membership in them, health programs can be tailored to reach people who are most likely to skip preventive care. This is more effective than giving the same message to everyone.

This study used a representative sample, meaning the people surveyed were fairly representative of the actual population in that region. The researchers used validated questionnaires that have been tested and proven reliable. However, because this was a snapshot in time, we can’t prove that one factor causes another—only that they’re associated. The study was conducted in one region of Italy, so results may not apply equally everywhere.

What the Results Show

The researchers identified five groups of people: those who do very few preventive behaviors, those who do some, those who do many, and those who do almost everything. About 15-20% of people fell into the ’low engagement’ group. Men were significantly more likely to be in this low engagement group compared to women. Younger adults (under 45) were also more likely to skip preventive behaviors. People who felt they couldn’t manage their own health well were much more likely to be low engagers. Those living alone had higher odds of being in the low engagement group. People who didn’t trust health information sources were also more likely to skip preventive care.

When looking at specific behaviors, men reported doing less health information-seeking, had worse oral hygiene habits, and made fewer healthy dietary choices compared to women. Interestingly, how much formal education someone had didn’t predict whether they’d be a low engager or not. Similarly, what language people spoke at home didn’t significantly affect their preventive behavior patterns. People with chronic diseases were more likely to be in the higher engagement groups, possibly because their conditions require ongoing health management.

This study confirms what other research has suggested: men tend to engage less in preventive health behaviors than women. However, it goes further by showing that this isn’t just about gender itself—it’s also about confidence in managing your own health and trust in health information. Previous studies often looked at single behaviors; this one shows that people tend to cluster into patterns, which is a more realistic way to understand health behavior.

This study only looked at one region of Italy, so the results might be different in other countries or cultures. Because it was a one-time survey, we can’t prove that low patient activation causes low preventive behavior—they might just be connected. The study relied on people self-reporting their behaviors, which can be inaccurate. We don’t know if these patterns stay the same over time or if people move between groups.

The Bottom Line

If you’re someone who tends to skip preventive care, focus on building confidence in managing your own health. This might mean learning more about your health conditions, asking your doctor questions, and tracking your own health habits. If you’re skeptical about health information, try to find trusted sources—ask your doctor for recommendations. For healthcare providers: recognize that men and younger adults may need different approaches to encourage preventive care, such as making it more convenient or framing it in ways that appeal to them. Moderate confidence level: these findings are based on solid research but come from one region.

Men, younger adults, and anyone who feels uncertain about managing their own health should pay special attention to this. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and anyone designing health programs should use these insights. People living alone might benefit from extra support or reminders. This research is less directly applicable to people who already have strong preventive health habits.

Building confidence in managing your health is a gradual process. You might start seeing changes in your behavior within 2-4 weeks if you actively work on it. Bigger habit changes typically take 2-3 months to feel natural. Don’t expect overnight transformation—sustainable change takes time.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track specific preventive behaviors weekly: number of health check-ups scheduled, days you exercised, servings of fruits/vegetables eaten, and times you brushed teeth. Create a simple checklist in the app to mark off completed behaviors each day.
  • Start with one small preventive behavior you’re not currently doing—perhaps scheduling a health check-up or adding one extra vegetable to dinner daily. Use the app to set a reminder and track completion. Once that feels routine (2-3 weeks), add another behavior. This gradual approach is more sustainable than trying to change everything at once.
  • Use the app to track your ‘preventive health score’ monthly—count how many of the key behaviors you’re doing consistently. Set a goal to increase this score by one behavior each month. Review your progress monthly and adjust your goals. If you notice you’re slipping, use the app’s reminder feature to get back on track.

This research describes patterns and associations in health behavior but does not provide medical advice. The findings are based on a study in one Italian region and may not apply equally to all populations. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine or preventive care plan. If you have concerns about your health or preventive care needs, speak with a qualified healthcare professional. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical guidance.