SURVEY SHOWS AMERICANS ARE UNAWARE OF THE ROLE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM PLAYS IN MAINTAINING HEALTH
Magic Johnson Helps to Announce Educational Campaign That Allows Consumers To Test Their Own Behaviors and Learn More about Immune Health
Chatsworth, CA (September 15, 2004) – Two-thirds of Americans do not think about the everyday factors that may affect their immune systems, according to a recent national survey of 1000 consumers ages 18 years and older.
The survey, conducted by Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, found that only two percent of Americans polled think about their immune health on a daily basis. Additionally the survey found:
- More than a third of consumers (36%) polled think of their immune system only when not feeling well or in the context of an illness or disease
- Thirty-four percent of consumers polled don’t even know or think about their immune health at all
Responding to the survey results, 12-time NBA All-Star, turned successful businessman, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, has joined forces with Natrol, Inc. for an educational campaign that helps people take control of their health, addressing Americans’ lack of awareness about immune health and the factors that can impact the body’s natural defense systems.
“Medical experts agree that our health is directly impacted by the immune system. It is the body’s own protection mechanism that works hard to keep vital organs shielded from outside forces. It’s astonishing that so few people are familiar with the everyday factors that can positively or negatively affect the immune system,” said Dr. Barbara Levine, Ph.D., R.D. “It is so important to introduce this information to consumers and get them directly engaged in ways to maintain the body’s natural defenses.”
“ Everyday immune health is important to me and I believe that everyone can benefit from education. It really is the key to gaining control of your health,” Johnson said. “To have a healthy life, one should live a healthy lifestyle. I hope to raise awareness of the unknown everyday factors that can affect anyone’s immune system – everything from sun, stress, sleep and even laughter.”
At the center of this campaign is a fun, informative online tool – “The 4-minute Immune Quiz”, found at www.MyImmuneHealth.com. The quiz walks users through 12 simple “yes” or “no” questions, highlighting everyday factors that affect the immune system, and provides easy-to-understand background information on overall immune health. This quiz is one of the first of its kind to give consumers not only a means to assess their own behaviors and understand what impacts their lives, but to find everyday solutions as well as facts on immune health.
“MyImmuneHealth.com is a much-needed interactive means to educate consumers about the importance of maintaining immune health,” said Elliott Balbert, President and CEO of Natrol, Inc. “We believe that anyone who drinks water, breathes air and eats food should think about immune health everyday. We are pleased to be able to develop this tool to educate people about the body’s natural defenses.”
According to Balbert, consumers want even more ability to take control of maintaining their health. “The good news is 55 percent of consumers are interested in knowing what they can do everyday -- big or small -- that can positively affect their immune system,” Balbert explained. “By becoming more attuned to the factors that impact our body’s natural defense systems, consumers will now have the necessary ammunition to make a difference.”
The survey included 1000 interviews among consumers ages 18 years and older, with a +/- 3.1% margin of error for the total sample.
Additional information about immune health and the “The 4-minute Immune Quiz” can be found at www.MyImmuneHealth.com.
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About Natrol:
Natrol, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTOL – news) is a diversified nutrition company that manufactures and markets premium branded nutritional products, functional teas and sports fitness products under the Natrol, Laci Le Beau Tea and Prolab Sports Nutrition labels. In addition, Natrol also provides premium grade nutraceutical ingredients as well as private label manufacturing through its Essentially Pure Ingredients (EPI) division.
Natrol markets more than 200 nutritional products designed to meet a wide range of consumer needs. The products are available at more than 25,000 food, drug, mass market and independent health food stores, catalogs and Internet sites, gyms and specialty stores nationally and in select foreign countries. For more information visit www.natrol.com.
About Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates
Founded in 1975, Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates has been a leader in innovative market research techniques for over 27 years. With offices in Washington, DC, Denver and New York, Penn, Schoen and Berland has conducted research in over 65 countries for Fortune® 500 companies and major political campaigns, utilizing its creative approach to traditional polling and media testing methodologies. PSB’s mission is to provide fast, accurate and actionable research that answers important business and political questions. For more information please visit www.psbsurveys.com/home
