INFORM | First half of 2019

Taboo subject incontinence Many people living with incontinence in Germany suffer in silence* Say that urinary incontinence is a taboo subject in their country Negative impact on overall life 74 % 48 % Say it took them a long time to realise they had a problem 59 % Say they thought it was temporary and would go away Denial Taboo Talked to trusted circle Society 69 % 68 % Education needed Impact on overall life 52 % 7 in 10 Say that more education on urinary incontinence is needed Say they wish society was more open about urinary incontinence Have never talked to their... ...friends 69 % ...family 53 % ...partner 39 % Say it has a negative impact on self-esteem Say it has a negative impact on emotional wellbeing Source: HARTMANN MoliCare ® Incontinence Study / *n = 505 Survey period: february 2019 58 % Inform in the first half of 2019 | A European study and roadshow 7 As a leading provider in the field of incontinence care, HARTMANN intends to enhance its profile in the end customer business by addressing consumers directly. To mark World Continence Week in June, the company published its European study entitled “Breaking the Silence”. Its aim is to break the taboos associated with the issue of incontinence and expand HARTMANN’s position as an opinion leader. The Bladder Weakness Consultation Days (Beratungstag Blasenschwäche) roadshow took place in spring and contributed to efforts to boost the end customer business by visiting various medical supply stores in southern Germany. European study “Breaking the Silence” to mark World Continence Week How do people feel when they experience incontinence for the first time? What prevents those affected from talking openly about it, even to their family or friends? The “Breaking the Silence” study conducted by HARTMANN provides answers to these and other ques- tions. Over 2,000 people aged 45 and older who suffer from urinary incontinence and live in Germany, France, Czech Republic, Spain and Switzerland were interviewed. Urinary incontinence is one of the most common medical conditions in the world, yet most of those affected by it have so far been suffering in silence. The “Breaking the Silence” study confirms the belief that a more open attitude by society towards the condition would be very helpful. This is also supported by the fact that over half of the respondents felt more confident and better supported after talking to their partner. The toll on the psychological well-being of those who openly talk about their incontinence was also much lower. A European study and roadshow: Incontinence Management raises its profile in the end customer business Breaking the Silence: HARTMANN’s European inconti- nence study breaks existing taboos.