Health is very important to the Germans

Value Index 2014: Health is the focus for Germans on the Internet

20/11/2013

Health is ranked as one of the central values ​​by German internet users. Two years earlier, the topic still came in third place. This resulted in an evaluation of around 1.7 million articles on German websites, the results of which were summarized in the 2014 Values ​​Index. According to this, 49 percent of internet users discussed diagnoses and treatment methods for diseases.

Half of Internet users discuss health
Experts from the trend researcher Peter Wippermann examined the importance of pre-selected values ​​such as justice, honesty, freedom, family, safety and recognition on the Internet for the 2014 Values ​​Index. Wippermann presented the results on Tuesday in Berlin.

Very surprising is that the value „health“ Wippermann told the press service „epd“. Only two years ago, the topic took third place. Back then, as in 2009, above all the value „freedom“ discussed on the internet. However, almost half (49 percent) of Internet users are now talking about disease symptoms, diagnostic procedures and therapeutic measures. Some seek advice, others share their experiences. The researchers conclude that many people in this country care about their body and their state of health. So the body is now called „Center of our own world "as „Wippermann told the press service that many people would try not only to keep fit with sports, but also to optimize their own bodies.

Safety is one of the less important values ​​for the Germans
The trend researcher also pointed to another interesting development. The value „success“ In the 2012 value index, it was still in sixth place. Meanwhile, he is gaining in importance again, but he is less materially defined, so Wippermann. Quality of life, according to the report, is becoming increasingly important, while material gains continue to take a back seat.

The value „security“ occupies tenth place in the 2014 Values ​​Index and, according to the experts, plays a rather subordinate role. The citizens would rely less on the state, but more on the small side in their everyday life seeking security. By comparison, safety ranked fifth in the 2012 value index, and fourth in the 2009 evaluation.

The value index has been collected every two years since 2009. It analyzes the sense of value of Internet users by examining how often and in which context fundamental values ​​of our society are discussed on German websites. It's based on over 150,000 public posts from users on blogs, forums, and communities. (Ag)

Picture: Ute Mulder