Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Population ageing poses major challenges for health and social care systems in France and Europe. Although life expectancy is rising, older adults often experience extended periods of declining health and autonomy. Public health strategies increasingly promote preventive measures to delay frailty and dependency, yet individual engagement remains low. This research addresses a key gap: the limited understanding of how individuals perceive and value prevention. By exploring citizen preferences, it aims to inform the design of more acceptable and effective prevention programmes.
METHODS: We propose to investigate the preferences of French adults aged 40 to 60 regarding prevention programs designed to reduce the risk of autonomy loss. We use a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to identify which program characteristics are most valued and which trade-offs individuals are willing to make. Attributes include program duration, follow-up format (in-person vs. digital), dietary and physical activity goals, and monthly cost. The questionnaire is being piloted and will be administered in June 2025 through a nationally representative online survey, targeting a sample of 3,000 respondents. Sampling will ensure representativeness by age, gender, geographic location, and socioeconomic status.
RESULTS: Although data collection is ongoing, we anticipate that the results will significantly enhance our understanding of individual preferences for prevention. They are expected to reveal the heterogeneity of expectations among adults, and to identify key barriers and facilitators to engagement in preventive behaviours.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings will inform future public health policies and support the development of more tailored, citizen-centered prevention strategies. Such approaches are essential to promote healthy ageing and help individuals maintain autonomy throughout later life.