HONG KONG, Jan. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- They say 'Age is in the mind of the beholder' -- but a major international survey, conducted by Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI), a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security, reveals major regional differences in attitudes toward age and aging amongst Asian and European countries.
The Cigna '360-degree Well-being Score' provides an important annual health-index, identifying and monitoring the factors, motivations, perceptions and attitudes that impact an individual's, a country's and a region's overall health, wellness and well-being.
With more than 15,000 respondents, results from this latest survey, reveal major regional differences in perceptions to age and aging amongst Asian and European countries.
The survey highlighted, that in developing Asia specifically, respondents generally defined their perception of "old" as in their late 50s to early 60s. This was almost a decade earlier than is generally perceived in Western European countries (UK, Spain and Turkey) surveyed.
- Western Europe: UK, Spain and Turkey: All say 67 (average is 67)
- Developed APAC: Hong Kong, Taiwan and New Zealand: 66, 64, 69, respectively (average is 66)
- Developing APAC: mainland China, Thailand, India and Indonesia: 60, 58, 60 and 58, respectively (average is 59)
"It was interesting to note the Asian perception of 'aged' at a somewhat younger stage of life, particularly in developing Asia markets," said Mr. Jason Sadler, President of Cigna's International Markets business.
"In Asia, the 'issue of age' is actually becoming a problem - because of the strain on financing healthcare provision - in the much later '65-and-above' population sector. This segment is projected to grow dramatically over the next 50 years. For the region as a whole, the population in this specific age group will increase some 314% - from 207 million in 2000 to 857 million in 2050*. (*World Health Organisation).
"Staying healthy as one ages can be actually quite complicated and costly work. Indeed, our survey shows that, in Asia, a majority (58% of respondents) consider physical health and well-being as by far the most important of the five indices covered. People's top three biggest concerns regarding their physical health included cancer, heart disease and diabetes, a worry at any age, but more highly prevalent as one gets older.
"Therefore as people become older, there is a growing demand for care related to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, vision impairment and dementia. However, as people age, particularly in a 65-and-above demographic, we see higher rates of non-communicable disease and where health treatments for older people are on average more expensive.
"What is rather important to stress, is that people in Asia are not ready for the older stages of life. On average only 25% of Asia's respondents believed they had the financial ability to meet their immediate families, or their parent's medical needs.
"The message is 'be prepared' about old age and be aware, but not fearful, of its implications from a health perspective on sound financial-health planning. It's certainly prudent to financially prepare for a happy, healthy age when still financially young.
"At Cigna, we work to provide a range of financial health solutions, specifically tailored to individual markets, which are affordable, simple to understand and easy to access. We provide a comprehensive suite of solutions particularly our flagship medical solutions tailored for different life stages with access to round-the-clock emergency assistance service and best health care facilities worldwide. We are committed to help you live well and stay well."
About the Cigna '360-degree Well-being Score'
The 'Cigna 360-degree Well-being Score' was established in 2014 as an annual index that continues to identify and monitor the factors, motivations, perceptions and attitudes that impact an individual person's, as well as the region's, health, wellness and well-being. The survey covers five key well-being indices - physical, social, family, financial and workplace health and well-being.
It is an independent study commissioned by Cigna and conducted in 11 countries and regions by Ipsos that covers the APAC markets of Hong Kong, mainland China, Thailand, S. Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, India and New Zealand, together with the international markets of the UK, Spain and Turkey.
Data is collected online from a representative random sample of at least 1,000 people in each market, totaling 15,000 respondents. It represents a key strategy in helping Cigna better understand customers' needs and work together with them to help achieve healthier, more secure, lives.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 89 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com