An analysis of data collected in 2024 from residents of Occitanie aged 18 to 79 provides an overview of the region across several health-related themes and raises hypotheses regarding the variations observed based on demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic characteristics.

The results reveal that perceived health in Occitanie is generally satisfactory, but highly unequal according to gender, age, and socioeconomic status. For certain indicators, Occitanie stands out with encouraging results (physical activity, sedentary lifestyle), while for others, the regional situation is less favorable (tobacco and alcohol use, mental health, vaccination uptake). Vulnerability to extreme weather events also emerges as a major concern.

This 2024 edition provides a set of regional indicators that will be tracked in future editions of the Santé publique France Barometer to analyze trends.

The 2024 Public Health France Barometer: A Strategic Tool for Regional Stakeholders

This survey reveals trends that should guide public policy and prevention efforts:

• Perceived health status varies significantly by gender, age, and socioeconomic status.

While 68.5% of adults report “good” or “very good” health, perceived health declines with age and appears strongly influenced by socioeconomic status, with better perceived health among those with the highest incomes, the highest levels of education, and among “managers and professionals.”

• Risk behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, and mental health): entrenched habits and gender-based vulnerabilities.

Occitanie continues to be marked by high alcohol and tobacco consumption, with 23.5% of adults exceeding the guidelines for lower-risk alcohol consumption and 20.6% reporting that they smoke daily. The region stands out for excessive alcohol consumption among women (2nd highest in the country). Tobacco use remains higher among the unemployed and those facing financial difficulties. Mental
health indicators reveal a high proportion of adults who have experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past 12 months.

• Physical activity and prevention: underutilized levers

Although the Occitanie region appears to be conducive to physical activity, only 20% of employees engage in it at work, and the use of motorized transportation to get to work remains the overwhelming norm (three-quarters of people). Regular participation in recreational physical activity, which is frequently cited, is more common among higher-income groups.
While 60% of adults are aware of the recommendations (30 minutes per day of moderate activity), adherence remains uneven, with variations based on educational level and financial status.

• Impact of climate change on health: a multiplier of health risks

The majority of adults report having experienced at least one extreme weather event in the past two years (85.4%), primarily heat waves and droughts. Occitanie is among the regions with the highest proportion of people reporting that they have already suffered from an extreme weather event, whether physically or psychologically.
Regarding the risks associated with episodes of extreme temperatures, while most adults report having read, seen, or heard “heat wave” prevention messages during the summer, the characteristic symptoms of heatstroke or dehydration—which can be life-threatening, such as incoherent speech or fever—are insufficiently known, particularly among people aged 60 or older.

• Infectious diseases as a marker of social inequalities

Vaccination uptake remains insufficient, particularly among the most disadvantaged populations.

A unique observatory to understand and influence the population’s health behaviors

With 35,000 respondents, including nearly 2,500 in Occitanie, this survey is an essential tool for guiding public health prevention and information policies.

Recognized as being in the public interest and of high statistical quality, it provides information that cannot be obtained elsewhere: individual behaviors, opinions, knowledge, and health events not captured by existing surveillance systems. The 2024 edition collects data on 20 major public health issues (15 presented for 2025 and 5 in March 2026): tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity, sleep, vaccination uptake, mental health…

Now updated every two years, this data reveals current health and social trends and thus provides the information needed to develop and evaluate public health policies.

Beyond the indicators, the Santé publique France Barometer highlights the influence of living conditions, social factors, and local environments on residents’ health. It also underscores the critical role of prevention, whether in the areas of mental health, substance use, health-promoting behaviors, or adaptation to the effects of climate change.