Health & the Economy

Health & the Economy CIGNA September/October 2008 prepared for:

There Is a Link Between the Economy and American Health Behaviors • In addition to the cost of gas, healthcare and keeping up with the cost of living, Americans show high concern for today’s economy. • Ninety percent of Americans are very/a little worried about the economy. • Those generations approaching retirement show higher economic concern, as over 7 in 10 Americans between the ages of 45 and 64 are very worried. • Since September, more Americans are very worried about the stock market. • Again, Americans between the ages of 45 and 64 are most worried. • About one in three Americans say that today’s economy has caused them to change their health behavior. • Of those that admit the economy has impacted their health behavior: • Over half (55%) say they are taking better care of their health. • To achieve this end, more than six in ten say they are exercising more and eating healthier. • While four in ten (41%) say they are taking worse care of their health. • Thirty-five percent of these Americans say that they are not going to the doctor as often/at all as a result.

America’s Top Three Concerns: the Economy, the Cost of Gas, and the Cost of Healthcare • Roughly half of Americans are also very worried about keeping up with the cost of food (46%), cost of living (54%), and the cost of medicine (50%). Please tell me whether you are very worried, a little worried, or not at all worried about: (Summary of Very/A little worried) A little worried Very worried 92% America’s Top Three Concerns 91% 88% 87% 87% 80% 69% 65% 43% *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

The Economy Remains the Number One Concern • Since September 12th – 15th, more Americans are “very worried” about the stock market. Other areas have seen a decline in the number “very worried.” Please tell me whether you are very worried, a little worried, or not at all worried about: (Summary of Very/A little worried, Data from Oct. 2nd – 5th) A little worried Very worried 90% 86% America’s Top Concerns 79% 79% 76% 72% 11 percentage point increase saying “very worried” since Sept. 12 – 15 72% 58% 37% *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from October 2nd – 5th.

The Economy Has Impacted a Third of Americans’ Health Behaviors • Women are more likely than men to change the way they take care of their health because of today’s economy (41% vs. 30%). Has today’s economy caused you to change the way you take care of your health? *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

With Volatility in the Market, About a Third Still Say Their Health Behaviors Have Been Impacted • Women are still more likely than men to change the way they take care of their health because of today’s economy (26% vs. 36%). Has today’s economy caused you to change the way you take care of your health? (Data from Oct. 2nd – 5th) *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from October 2nd – 5th.

Many Americans Are Taking Better Care of Their Health Due to the Economy • Among those who say that today’s economy has caused them to change the way they take care of their health, over half say they are taking better care (55%). Has today’s economy caused you to change the way you take care of your health? And as a result of today’s economy, are you taking better or worse care of your health?* *Base: Among Those that said Yes, the Economy has Changed My Health Behaviors, N = 334 compared to Among Total, N=1,004 (Sept. 12 – 15)

Americans Say They Are Exercising More and Eating Healthier to Stay On Top of Their Health What sorts of things are you doing to take better care of your health?* (Unaided question, multiple responses recorded) And as a result of today’s economy, are you taking better or worse care of your health? *Base: Among Those that said Yes, the Economy has Changed My Health Behaviors AND I’m taking BETTER care of my health, N = 168 (Sept. 12 – 15)

For Those Who Are Taking Worse Care, Many Are Not Going To the Doctor as Often How are you changing the way you take care of your health?* (Unaided open-end, responses were coded) And as a result of today’s economy, are you taking better or worse care of your health? *Base: Among Those that said Yes, the Economy has Changed My Health Behaviors AND I’m taking WORSE care of my health N = 148 (Sept. 12 – 15)

Americans See the Benefits of Investing in Good Health, Yet Many Perceive Cost As a Barrier • Americans recognize the importance of their health, and many would like ways to improve it. • Nine in ten agree/strongly agree that now more than ever a healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial to safeguarding their health. • Thirty-six percent say their health is important and that they exercise and eat well whenever they can, and just over a quarter (27%) say they work on their health every day. • Looking ahead, many Americans say they will be more likely to engage in specific healthy behaviors such as exercising and eating healthier in response to today’s economy. • However, about a third (30%) of Americans recognize they should be doing more or could use help. • Many Americans recognize that maintaining a healthy lifestyle will benefit them in the long run, including increased wealth and saving money. • Seventy-eight percent of Americans believe that exercise and eating right can save you money in the long run. • More than six in ten (65%) agree/strongly agree that “Better health can lead to greater wealth.” • Over half (54%) believe that a healthy lifestyle can help you earn more money in the long run. • However, today’s concerns (cost of food, cost of healthcare, the economy, etc.) are preventing some Americans from investing in those long term benefits: • Many Americans agree/strongly agree that healthy meals are more time consuming (44%) and difficult to prepare (36%). • Sixty-three percent of Americans agree/strongly agree that healthy foods cost more than unhealthy foods. • Almost half (49%) agree/strongly agree that “being healthy is expensive.”

Now More Than Ever: Exercise and a Healthy Diet Are Crucial to Safeguarding Health • And fewer than one in four (22%) agree that it takes too much time to exercise. Would you say you agree strongly, agree, disagree or disagree strongly with each of the following? (Summary of Agree strongly/Agree) Agree Agree Strongly 92% 91% 22% *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

Looking Ahead, Americans Anticipate Changing Their Behavior • Given the state of the economy, Americans see the need to change their habits. • Many say they are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors over the next year. Given the state of today’s economy, are you more or less likely to do each of the following things in the next 12 months? Less likely No change More likely *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from October 2nd – 5th.

While Most Americans Say They Lead Healthy Lives, Many Want to Improve Their Health • Nearly two thirds of Americans say their health is a priority. • About a third have good intentions; saying they should be doing more, or could use help. Which of the following statements best describes the priority you place on a healthy lifestyle? 63% of Americans say their health is a priority. … 30% have good intentions. … and 6% aren’t concerned or feel they have no control. *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

Many Americans Link Healthy Behaviors To Having More Money • Americans agree that in the long run, healthy behaviors can: • Help you save money and • Help you earn more money. Thinking about the possible benefits of healthy behaviors, what do you think exercise and eating right will do for you? Will it… (Percent saying “Yes, it will”) *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004 (Multiple Responses Allowed) (Sept 12 – 15)

Most Americans Agree Better Health Leads to Greater Wealth • While one-in-three disagree and do not see the link between health and prosperity. “Better health can lead to greater wealth” 65% of Americans agree. *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

However, Americans Also Agree that Being Healthy Costs Time and Money • Many find healthy meals more time-consuming (44%) or difficult (36%) to prepare. • Furthermore, many agree that healthier foods cost more (63%). Would you say you agree strongly, agree, disagree or disagree strongly with each of the following? (Summary of Agree strongly/Agree) Agree Agree Strongly 63% Cost 49% 44% Time / Effort 36% *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

Americans Aren’t Sure What Their Health Plan Offers • Americans are very interested in a number of health services, but few actually know if their health plan offers them. • Seventy-eight percent of Americans have interest in a website that shows the price you’d pay at different pharmacies to find the best deals on medications. • However, only 15% of Americans know if their health plan offers this service. • Seventy-five percent of Americans would like to discounts for weight loss programs, fitness centers, etc., • But less than three-in-ten (28%) know if their health plan offers this option. • More than seven-in-ten Americans (71%) would like a phone number to call, or a website to access, in order to get a price for a doctor visit or other common test or procedure before they go. • However, only 25% of Americans know if their health plan offers this service. • Younger Americans are more interested in health services than older consumers. • More than nine-in-ten Americans (94%) aged 18-24 would like a website that shows prices at different pharmacies (to find the best deals on medications). • Whereas only 54% of Americans aged 65 or older show interest. • Eight-in-ten younger Americans show interest in access to an Employee Assistance Program to improve work/life balance or cope with personal/family issues. • Less than four-in-ten Americans (35%) aged 65 or older show interest.

Americans Want as Much Health Help as They Can Get • Younger generations generally find health services more useful than older consumers. The following services would be helpful: *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

Yet Few Americans Say They Are Aware Their Health Insurance Provider Offers the Services They Want Do you know if your health insurance offers any of the following services? *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

A website that shows the price you’d pay 78% 15% at different pharmacies (to find the best Discounts for things like weight loss 75% 28% programs, fitness centers, massage therapy A phone number/website to get a price for 71% 25% a doctor visit or common test/procedure The ability to speak to a nurse 24 hours a 74% 39% Services Americans find helpful day Access to an Employee Assistance Program 67% Services Americans are aware 35% help improve your work/life balance their health insurance provides 60% Online coaching or health information 29% The ability to order your medications by 76% 47% phone or online for home delivery 43% Health coaching over the phone 17% The Gap Between What Services Americans Want and Which They Know Are Offered Is Significant Gap between Services Desired and Known Offered Gap of 63 percentage points 47 46 35 32 31 29 26 *Base: Among Total, N = 1,004. Data from September 12th – 15th.

Methodology • Two separate telephone interviews were conducted among a national probability sample of 1,004 American adults 18 years of age or older, living in private households in the continental United States. • These random-digit-dial samples were fully replicated and stratified by region. Only one interview was conducted per household. All sample numbers selected were subject to up to four attempts to complete an interview. • The interviews took place between the 12th and 15th of September and the 2nd and 5th of October, 2008. The second survey was fielded in response to increasing uncertainty about the economy. • Data are weighted by age, gender, geographic region, and race to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the population. • The sampling error for this study is +/- 3%.

Health & the Economy