Launched in 2002 for a four-year period, the National Program for the Development of Palliative Care and Support follows on from the law of June 9, 1999, which establishes the right of individuals whose condition requires it to access palliative care and support. The program aims to strengthen the availability of palliative care in institutions and expand it to home settings, as well as to raise awareness and provide information to the general public and healthcare professionals. This awareness-raising should focus on the reality of palliative care and support, on clarifying terminology related to end-of-life care, as well as on the law and existing mechanisms, in order to avoid confusion and encourage both professional and volunteer engagement. With a view to raising awareness among the general public and to assess the current state of knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of the general public and healthcare professionals regarding palliative care and support, the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (INPES) commissioned Crédoc to conduct an exploratory study. To understand the significance and clarify the public health implications of such a study, it is important to first provide some background context, followed by the study’s objectives and methodology, and finally the methodology applied and the challenges encountered. [excerpt from report]