Hong Kongers, Singaporeans most pessimistic about their health: study

CONSUMERS in developed markets in Asia are more pessimistic about the current and future state of their health and their management of it, compared to their counterparts in less developed markets.

The Health of Asia Barometer is constructed from responses to eight survey questions. The study by the Economist Intelligence Unit was commissioned by Prudential. It polled 5,000 people in 13 markets in Asia in the second half of 2020.

Hong Kong and Singapore were at the bottom of the barometer with values of 46.5 and 47.3, respectively. Residents in India were the most optimistic with the highest value of 59 out of 100.

Health perceptions were also negatively correlated with life expectancy. Andrew Wong, chief health officer, Prudential Corporation Asia, said: "Both Hong Kong and Singapore have very effective public and private healthcare in terms of clinical outcomes. As a result, life expectancies for both markets are among the highest in the world.

"This might also be the primary reason why people are downbeat about their future health outlook. They are well-informed and know the longer they live, the higher their likelihood of having chronic diseases and being more vulnerable to health conditions like cancer and stroke."

A number of key findings emerge from the study. One is that while digital health technologies are popular, they need to work harder for users. Around 78.5 per cent of respondents said they use personal health technologies such as smart watches and thermometers, and blood pressure monitors.

Two, awareness of the connection between wellness and disease is growing. Over half of respondents have taken two or more measures to improve their personal health such as physical exercise and changing their eating habits. About 24 per cent also sought to improve their mental health. About 34 per cent said Covid-19 caused them greater stress, anxiety and depression.

Three, income levels do not dictate health and wellness optimism. And, low affordability limits people's scope of action to live more healthily.

In Singapore, most respondents use personal health technologies, but a sizable 39 per cent do not. People who do not use or do not plan to use health technologies cite concerns such as cost, preference for in-personal medical check-ups, data privacy and lack of time.

Nearly 49 per cent of Singapore respondents cite financial constraints in accessing good quality food, exercise facilities or health technologies. Only 31 per cent expect their health to be better in 2021, compared to 53.4 per cent in Asia. About 42 per cent of respondents reported elevated stress, anxiety and depression as a result of Covid-19, compared to 43 per cent in Asia.

The study made a number of recommendations. One is that digital health ecosystems have great potential to support health management. They must be supported by data governance that balances the need for commerce and consumers' privacy concerns.

It said governments and businesses need to collaborate to drive digital healthcare. Governments should also highlight the importance of employee health and wellness to business performance and economic growth. Also, mental health should be treated on a par with physical health.

Prudential launched its digital health and wellness app Pulse by Prudential here in April. The app allows users to check their symptoms when unwell, conduct digital health assessments and seek advice via video consultation with a doctor. The Pulse app has been downloaded close to 200,000 times in Singapore and around 20 million times across Asia and Africa.