Melanie Chaves

P U T T I N G T H E ‘ H ’

B A C K I N T O O S H C

Melanie Chaves

Workplace Health Management Consultant JULY 2013

O V E R V I E W

2 BUPA – July 2013

1. WHY does the health of your

international student cohort require an

increasing emphasis

2. HOW Bupa can support your university

as a true healthcare partner

3. WHERE can universities differentiate

themselves

4. WHAT are the benefits of health and

wellness to your overseas students

WHY DOES THE HEALTH

OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL

STUDENT COHORT

REQUIRE AN INCREASING

EMPHASIS


T H E F A C T O R S W E K N O W

4

1. For majority of international students its the first time they have been

away from home

o There are significant cultural differences and lifestyle changes .

2. It has been observed that changes occur in the health advantage

among International Students after arrival in Australia

o Lifestyle related health risk factors such as diet and exercise on

health outcomes.

3. Often language is a barrier in early access to health care

o Understanding Health information, navigating pathways of care

BUPA – July 2013

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T H E A L T H

5

The most prevalent issues experienced by international students;

BUPA – July 2013

• Obstetrics Claims represent the no 1 hospitalisation claim made by international students

• 1 in 3 Abortions at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide is performed on international students (2009)

Sexual Health

• 84% of University Students are under pressure, representing 3 times more than the general population

• 45% of students report experiencing emotional stress during their period of university study

Mental Health

• 77% of students do not know what a ‘rip’ is

• A large proportion of international students have not seen a beach before arriving in Australia

Water Safety

• 92% of students eat less than 5 serves of fruit and vegetables per day

• Cheap and often unhealthy meal choices are made by students Nutrition

Over and above the possibility of

getting “very ill”, even the usual

health problems can be daunting if

you’re in a foreign country and

unfamiliar with healthcare and how

to access it.

• GP visits

• Emergency Departments

• Specialist consultation

• Who do you go to?

• What help is available?

• What else can my health

insurance do beyond pay the bill?

BEYOND HEALTH ITSELF


Effective education is crucial

to effective care

A N E C D O T A L F E E D B A C K

7 BUPA – June 2012 BUPA – July 2013

HOW BUPA CAN SUPPORT

YOUR UNIVERSITY AS A TRUE

HEALTHCARE PARTNER

Bupa Private and Confidential December 2012 8

Around for over 60 years

Expertise stretching across 190 countries

Global reach supporting more than 33 million people around the world

A healthcare leader looking after the needs of over 3 million Australians

LONGER, HEALTHIER, HAPPIER LIVES

9

One thing that truly sets Bupa

apart is our approach.

We lead the market as a true

healthcare partner for you and

your students.

Where other OSHC providers

simply provide health

insurance, we seek to interact,

improve and change lives.

Y O U R H E A L T H P A R T N E R I N A U S T R A L I A


HEALTH AND WELLNESS – OUR APPROACH



Y O U R H E A L T H P A R T N E R I N A U S T R A L I A

Health and Wellness Programs

•Innovative Health and Wellness programs

•Integrate global research and expertise

•Identify and address health concerns and challenges specifically

for international students

•Programs address;

o unplanned pregnancies

o sexual health

o stress

o depression

o poor nutrition,

o and a range of other health issues.

The Bupa Health Foundation has

already provided more than $17 million

and partnered with some of the

nation’s most outstanding researchers

and advocates for better health in order

to achieve our common goals.

The Bupa Health Foundation is funding

a research project in partnership with a

leading Victorian University regarding

overseas student health.

12

T H E B U P A H E A L T H F O U N D A T I O N

BUPA – July 2013

WHERE CAN UNIVERSITIES

DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES

13 Bupa – July 2013

N A V I G A T I N G H E A L T H C A R E I N A U S T R A L I A

14

“I do not understand the

healthcare system in Australia.

I have to rely on family and

friends…”

“It is difficult to find a service

that provides an interpreter...”

“Because of my religion, I

prefer to see a female doctor...

especially for reproductive

issues.”

BUPA – July 2013


T A R G E T E D H E A L T H A N D W E L L N E S S I N I T I A T I V E S

UNIVERSITY CASE STUDY

A successful Health and Wellbeing program was run by Bupa, at a

Victorian University, relating to Sexual Health. Since the inception of this

program, we have seen a reduction in unplanned pregnancy- related

claims amongst the international student cohort. This reduction was a

result of the education seminars that we held for international students in

conjunction with Family Planning Victoria. Similarly, our mental health

programs are designed to help students get the most out of their studies

by providing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.


WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF

HEALTH AND WELLNESS TO

YOUR INTERNATIONAL

STUDENT COHORT

17 Bupa – July 2013

More students ‘fit for study’

Assisting with duty of care

Key market differentiator ROI

Benefits of Health

and Wellness

Strategies

Improved student physical and psychological wellbeing

Increased student attendance

Proactive healthcare support

A HEALTHY RETURN FOR YOUR ORGANISATION

18

BUPA – July 2013

•Provides a competitive point of difference between your University and

other educational establishments, by offering a diverse range of student

health related advice and services

•Complements and enhances the University’s duty of care, by giving

students practical steps to actively manage their own health

•Preventive health programs may reduce the incidence of campus

illness/stress/health related issues

•Regular analysis of student claiming patterns provides a snapshot of the

current health status of your international student cohort, helping mitigate

potential undetected health risks

BENEFITS TO YOUR UNIVERSITY


• Practical advice and steps to assist with their own personal health

management both on campus and in the future

• Allows student to spend more time studying and less time being

ill/stressed

• Pre exams can effectively help to reduce stress

• Sessions in English and allows international students to embrace and

adopt English language skills in relation to health issues

• Serves as preventative steps to help ensure students are healthy and

well

• Prevents illness and in some cases can prevent serious accidents

• Can help students reduce unexpected pregnancy and potential

university deferment

• Advice and help for students who are a long distance away from

immediate caring friends and family

BENEFITS TO YOUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS


QUESTIONS ?


Health & Medicine

Melanie Chaves