The 2nd edition of the annual CSA barometer for HAVAS Red Health Paris confirms French people’s desire to see companies become healthcare actors alongside the State
For the second consecutive year, the CSA barometer for HAVAS Red Health Paris, entitled “What is the societal role for companies in healthcare?”, highlights the strong expectations of the French towards companies in health matters. While the study confirms the feeling that the health system in France is inexorably deteriorating, it also confirms, for 59% of them (+2 points), the growing desire to see companies take a more important role in health. While the majority of French people are still opposed to privatization of the health system, the barometer highlights a generational divide, reflecting a societal shift in the relationship to companies and innovation.
In second place after purchasing power, health is a lasting concern for 34% of French people, a high level even if it is a slight decline of 2 points compared to 2024. A concern that goes hand in hand with the growing feeling that the health system is malfunctioning, according to 61% of those questioned, or even moving in the wrong direction, according to 72% (+1 pt). This is a perception that is not improving and even rises to 85% among 50–64-year-olds, who are more affected by health problems.
This year again, the CSA barometer for HAVAS Red Heath Paris identifies among the main causes the lack of human resources (63%) in the medical field, whether it is the lack of caregivers, doctors or specialists, delays in obtaining an appointment, saturation of emergency services or medical deserts. The notion of access to care thus stands out as an important lens through which the French view health-related issues.
Financial concerns come second, whether it be reimbursements or the cost of healthcare expenses (19% of spontaneous quotes) or the financial resources of establishments leading to bed closures or lack of equipment (16%).
The main lesson of this second wave of the barometer is that the French confirm their vision of a partner company committed to overcoming the difficulties of the healthcare system.
Certainly, for one in two French people, healthcare workers and the Government remain the most legitimate actors in improving the health of the French (respectively 51% and 50%), with the Government even being cited first ahead of healthcare professionals for 36%. However, 59% (+2 points) want French companies to play a greater role in healthcare. This figure even reaches 71% among French people over 65.
Although respondents are not spontaneously able to name a company that contributes to improving their health, they would like companies to take on a more societal, or even political, role through advocacy actions with public authorities in order to improve health policy in France (for 34%). Among the expectations mentioned: offering quality mutual insurance (34%) or health services to their employees (29%) such as screening actions for example.
This second edition of the study confirms that companies still have a role to play as full-fledged players in the French healthcare landscape, alongside the government and the medical field. This is a strong expectation in the face of French concerns, linked to the perception of a deterioration in the healthcare system.
This call to the private sector is not, however, synonymous with substitution or privatization of health. While 60% of French people (+1pt) believe this is a possibility, 75% reject the idea that the State should no longer be responsible for the health of the French, and that this role should fall to private companies, a categorical rejection for almost 1 in 2 French people (48%). The French therefore expect companies to stand alongside the State to inject new momentum into a system that is losing steam, while preserving its fundamentally public nature.
A corollary of the feeling that the healthcare system is deteriorating, nearly 8 out of 10 French people (77%) believe that the State does not invest enough in health innovation. This view is even more pronounced among those over 65 (87%), the first sign of the generational divide highlighted by the CSA barometer for HAVAS Red Health Paris.
The barometer reveals the concept of a “sandwich generation” of 50–64-year-olds – involved in the health of their children, their elderly parents and increasingly concerned about their own health – who are very critical of the current health system and pessimistic about its future. Naturally, the training of healthcare professionals and medical research are priorities for French people for innovating in healthcare (57% and 54% respectively). Investment in research is also supported by 65% of those over 65.
While the French agree on the importance of a greater role for businesses in health matters, the barometer highlights marked differences between younger and older generations. Thus, among 18–24-year-olds, 53% consider that this is a positive development that will allow us to provide more resources to our health system and 55% believe that businesses already play an important role today (vs only 30% among those over 65). This gap is also evident when it comes to views on the future of the healthcare system: 41% of those under 35 (compared to 16% of those aged 50 and over) would like to see a day when the French State is no longer responsible for the health of its citizens and this role is instead taken on by private companies.
When asked about the use of artificial intelligence in the field of healthcare, the French remain not fully convinced, with opinions still divided between seeing it as an opportunity (43%), a threat (25%), or having no clear opinion (32%). Here again, the barometer highlights a generational divide, this time on the other side: 53% of those over 65 see it as an opportunity, while 37% of those under 35 see it as a threat. 76% of those aged 65 and over (vs. 68% of those surveyed) even believe that it represents a revolution for medicine, for example in terms of early diagnosis, research or assistance for health professionals.
HAVAS Red Health Paris’s mission is to support companies in their commitment to the health of tomorrow
As health remains firmly at the top of the concerns of the French, we are witnessing a major shift in their societal expectations: health is no longer solely the responsibility of the medical system or the State, but is now also a matter for businesses. « Our mission at Havas Red Health Paris is to support companies in integrating health as a strategic dimension of their development, for a greater societal impact. Whether it involves advocacy with public authorities, innovative health services for employees, or prevention initiatives, we help companies structure their approach to champion major causes and meet the expectations of the French public, » says Roxane Philippe, General Manager of HAVAS Red Health Paris.
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About the barometer
The barometer “What is the societal role for companies in health?” was produced by the CSA institute for the HAVAS Red Health Paris agency.
Survey methodology
A sample of 1,010 French people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over. The sample was self-administered online from March 19 to 24, 2025 and constructed using the quota method based on the following criteria: gender, age, occupation, region of residence, and type of urban area.
About HAVAS Red Health Paris
HAVAS Red Health is a health-focused agency created from a joint-venture between the Havas Health Network and Havas Paris, established to address the specific challenges of the healthcare sector in France. It brings together experts who have a deep understanding of this ecosystem while also offering the global reach and resources of Havas, internationally.
By creating HAVAS Red Health, Havas is able to offer a clearer health press relations service and to establish a daily link between the group’s various health entities.
Reflecting this broad vision of health, a health crisis unit, housed within the agency, can be activated as an “emergency button” to address the many challenges that health companies inevitably face at one time or another
About CSA
For 40 years, CSA Research has provided companies and institutions with a detailed understanding of behaviors. Operating across multiple sectors, CSA generates and cross-references hybrid data (attitudinal and behavioral, passive and active, qualitative and quantitative) that is operational and actionable. Led by Yves del Frate, CEO of CSA, the institute has been part of Havas since 2015.
www.csa.eu
Press Contacts
Claire Olivieri – claire.olivieri-ringot@havasred.com – 06 13 54 38 91
Madeleine Clayeux – madeleine.clayeux@havasred.com – XXX
CSA Press Contacts
Sandra Laberenne – slaberenne@meiji-communication.com – 06 43 19 13 88
Sophie Schmierer – sschmierer@meiji-communication.com – 06 60 79 36 26
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