Cancer is the leading health concern among Romanians, cited by 50% of respondents in an international Ipsos survey. Stress ranked second at 42%, followed by cardiovascular disease at 32%.
Meanwhile, obesity was cited by 30% of Romanian respondents and diabetes by 23%.
Concern about cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes was higher in Romania than the average across the 32 countries covered by the study, according to the press release.
“Although cancer remains the main source of concern, we see stress approaching it significantly, indicating the growing impact of emotional and lifestyle factors on perceptions of health,” said Irina Nicolaescu, client director at Ipsos Romania.
The survey also found that 70% of Romanian respondents considered the country’s healthcare system overstretched, continuing a trend identified in the 2025 edition.
“At the same time, the perception of a healthcare system under pressure persists, highlighting the continued need for solutions that improve the patient experience and access to quality medical services,” Nicolaescu also said.
Social media has become an important source of information about GLP-1 medications, which are used to treat diabetes and, in some cases, obesity. Among Romanian respondents who had heard of the drugs, 41% said they first learned about them through social media platforms.
The Ipsos Health Service Report 2026 surveyed 22,528 adults under the age of 75 in 32 countries between July 13 and August 7. The Romanian sample included 500 online respondents.