The findings are part of the latest AIA Healthy Living Index Survey (“The Survey”), the fourth since 2011, which highlights the prevailing health trends, motivations and concerns for individuals and communities across Asia-Pacific.
AIA Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Damien Mu commented on the results: “There is a real and justifiable concern amongst the public regarding their ability to cope financially at a time when they should be focusing on being well and getting well. This report informs us that one in three of the Australians surveyed are concerned about their ability to meet the potential costs of critical illness. When asked to estimate the cost of treatment for cancer, almost half (46%) of those surveyed, estimate an amount that would have serious financial implications for them.”
Average shortfalls in covering direct costs (as a percentage) respondents expect:
- 34% for Cancer treatment
- 29% for Heart Disease
- 24% for Diabetes
It’s not all bad news however, with the report highlighting that people in Australia are ranked second in the Asia Pacific region for having had a medical check-up in the past six months (representing 52% of the total Asia Pacific sample).
For those who did not go for a check-up, cost and time are the most common reasons for not attending. Specifically, for Australians:
- Over 70% of those surveyed had a medical check-up in the past year, with a higher proportion in the 45 or above age group (85%)
- Regular medical check-ups are least popular in the 18-29 age group (57%).
- Confidence in their health is another key reason for not participating in regular check-ups, especially in the 18-29 age group (35%).
Mu adds: “As a leading insurer, at AIA Australia we believe that we should be there supporting Australians through all life’s twists and turns, not only protecting in times of need, but proactively helping create healthier, longer, better lives every day. The survey’s findings are important for our business community to better understand Australian households, finding ways to bridge these gaps by creating pathways to improving health and wellbeing.”
Please see the full regional report for more detail on the research findings by clicking on the following link: https://www.aia.com/en/healthy-living/aia-healthy-living-index.html
The AIA Healthy Living Index surveyed 11,000 adults in 16 of AIA’s markets and was commissioned by AIA and conducted by IPSOS, a leading consumer research company.
Contact:
Ingrid Nienaber, AIA Australia
E: Ingrid.Nienaber@aia.com
T: +613 9009 4143
Jay Harkness, AIA New Zealand
E: Jay.Harkness@aia.com
T: +64 27 836 2533
About the AIA Healthy Living Index
The 2018 AIA Healthy Living Index is the fourth Asia-Pacific wide survey on health and wellbeing AIA has conducted since 2011.
The survey findings highlight prevailing health trends and indicate areas in which individuals and communities can move towards sustaining more healthy lifestyles.
The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in demand for quality healthcare that outstrips the development of resources and infrastructure. This phenomenon is creating significant opportunities for innovative technology and healthcare funding solutions to improve the quality and availability of care across the region.
For the 2018 Index we carried out surveys among 11,000 adults in 16 of our markets — Australia, Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
In addition to producing the AIA Healthy Living Index itself, which measures consumers’ satisfaction with their health and wellness behaviours, the 2018 Survey had several additional objectives. In each market, we wanted to find out:
- How the issue of financing healthy activities and medical treatment affects people’s ability to live healthily;
- What motivates people to adopt healthy behaviours, what factors make it hard for them to sustain them, and how they can make sustainable changes to adopt a more healthy lifestyle;
- What role technology is playing in people’ attempts to adopt healthier habits.
Learn more by following this link: https://www.aia.com/en/healthy-living/aia-healthy-living-index.html
About AIA Group
AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Macau, Brunei, and Cambodia, as well as a 97 per cent subsidiary in Sri Lanka, a 49 per cent joint venture in India, and a representative office in Myanmar.
The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai almost a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$200 billion as of 31 May 2017.
AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia-Pacific, AIA serves the holders of more than 30 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.
AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).
About AIA New Zealand
AIA New Zealand employs over 140 people. Since the company arrived in New Zealand in 1981, AIA New Zealand has consistently provided the market with innovative personal and business insurance products that suit the Kiwi way of life. Today AIA offers a complete range of risk management products that focus on the needs of customers. AIA New Zealand is based in Auckland with regional offices in Wellington and Christchurch. However, through a network of financial advisers, AIA reaches every corner of the country. AIA New Zealand is a member of the Insurance and Savings Ombudsman Scheme and the Health Funds Association of New Zealand. Standard and Poor’s reaffirmed AIA New Zealand’s insurer financial strength rating at AA- in June 2016.
About AIA Australia
AIA Australia is a leading life insurance specialist with over 45 years’ experience. With a unique customer value proposition focused on life, health and wellness, our purpose is to make a difference in people’s lives.
AIA Australia offers a range of products that protect and enhance the lives of more than four million Australians. Our vision is to embrace shared value in championing Australia and New Zealand to be the healthiest and most protected nations in the world. With AIA Vitality – the world’s leading scientifically-backed health and wellness program – we help members to live healthier, longer, better lives.
AIA Australia has been recognised with multiple awards, including being named ANZIIF Life Insurance Company of the Year (2017, 2015, 2013, 2012).
