Health behaviour: results of the Emergency Medical Services Health Study 2023

Background: Lifestyle affects health, and health-promoting behaviour is pivotal to preventing chronic illnesses and to improving wellbeing. However, limited data exist on the health behaviours of German emergency medical services (EMS) staff. Aim. This research aimed to investigate and characterise the health behaviours of German EMS staff. Methods: Data from the EMS Health Study 2023 a nationwide survey of German EMS staff (n=1171) were analysed in the light of adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption and compliance with German Nutrition Society guidelines. Findings. German prehospital EMS staff ate inadequate amounts of fruits and vegetables, and consumed more high-energy foods and foods with unfavourable nutrient profiles – such as sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food, sweets and snacks – than recommended. Only 40.0% of men and 40.2% of women met the WHO recommendations for physical activity, 15.8% of men and 17.7% of women reported abstaining from alcohol and approximately one in three were current smokers. Conclusion: Health behaviour among German prehospital EMS staff is suboptimal, and there is an urgent need for targeted preventive interventions to promote healthier lifestyles.