Pfizer health index 2014

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX

Cost of living

Behaviour

Spending less

Medical CardPrivate

Older people

Health

HappinessBudgets

Families

Looking aheadImpact R

ecession

PensionDisposable income

Welfare

Future

Austerity

Mental health

Health insurance

Unemployment

Cutbacks

Prioritising spendEducation

Attitudes

Public

Luxuries

Work

Disability

GP

Doctor

Hospital

Funding

Entitlements

IllnessExerciseHealth screening

Smoking

Prescriptions

Job security Stress

Universal healthcareHospital beds

MedicineAccess

Looking forward

1


ii

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

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Yours sincerely,

Paul Reid

Managing Director Pfizer Healthcare Ireland

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEXINTRODUCTION


2


3

IMPACT OFAUSTERITY MEASURESEXECUTIVE SUMMARY

IMPACT OF RECESSION ON PERSONAL HEALTH

Having questioned people in detail about their current health status and perceptions, respondents were asked whether they felt the recession has had a negative impact on their personal health or not.

Almost 3 in 10 adults indicate that the recession has had an impact on their personal health. Those who were more likely to have experienced some form of impact are aged between 35 and 64 years old, and are more likely to be from lower socio-economic groups.

Do you think the recession has had a negative impact on your own personal health or not?

While the pattern is suggestive of a greater recessionary impact in middle age and lower socio-economic groups, it is still important to acknowledge that a quarter of adults from higher socio-economic groups believe that they have equally experienced an impact on their health due to the recession.

This pattern is not dissimilar from the distribution of recession-related impact generally. In this instance the impact of the recession on health is not any higher in those over 65 years of age.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A number of encouraging shifts are apparent from the 2014 Pfizer Health Index data. Although visits to doctors for medical treatment may have reduced, there is evidence that the general health status of Irish adults is reasonably resilient, and certain indicators in relation to health behaviour are very encouraging too. Most notably, the number of people smoking is at an all-time low with 25% of adults (aged 16 years plus) currently smoking, down significantly from 33% in 2012.

There is a substantial rise in interest in taking exercise, with a claimed ten percentage point growth in the numbers intent on becoming more active in the next three months (from 25% to 35% since 2011.) Equally, there is much greater focus on the need for weight loss and the adoption of a more balanced diet. The stated commitment to do these things is more apparent amongst those with poorer health status overall, and the proportion in poor health who aim to give up smoking stands at 18%, relative to 9% for the population at large, or 7% among those in good health.

There remains significant enthusiasm for the introduction of free universal healthcare access, which remains a commitment of the Government to be introduced through a system of universal health insurance by 2019.

The impact of the recession on the general health of the Irish population is substantial and 28% are of the view that their health was detrimentally affected by it. The greatest impact seen is between the ages of 35 and 64, which would tie in with other data demonstrating that those in the ‘family life stage’ have experienced more negative implications during the course of the recession.

Relatedly, the priorities of many now revolve around ensuring that families with children are treated fairly, and most would prioritise health and social welfare initiatives aimed at this group. When asked to decide the order in which austerity-related measures should be addressed, the majority would prioritise the reversal of healthcare related cuts. Among these, changes which would be beneficial to families with young children should be implemented first. While this may be reflective of the current dialogue around the provision of free healthcare to children aged five and under, it is clear that there is substantial support for this initiative, with 76% considering it worthy of merit and few people against the proposal.

Impact of recession on personal healthBase: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

Yes, it has impacted my health No, it has not impacted

Male%

Female%

U25%

25-34%

35-49%

50-64%

65+%

ABC1%

C2%

F%

AllAdults

%DE%

28

72

Urban%

Rural%

Good%

Average%

Poor%

Health Status

27

73

28

72

1426 33 33

25

8674

67 6775

23 2537

21

77 7563

79

28

72

27

73

1828

49

8272

51


4


5

IMPACT OFAUSTERITY MEASURES


Thinking back upon the recent austerity budget/years, which cutbacks have had the greatest impact on people (or society?) in your view?

For those over 35 years of age, the perceived impact of healthcare related cuts is more evident, whereas the impact of social welfare and education-related cuts is more apparent among those under the age of 25.

There is limited focus on the perceived impact of changes to the State pension until respondents reach the age of 65, with 1 in 6 pensioners believing that it is the primary cause for concern among them. Among older adults, health remains the number one issue.

RANKING THE IMPACT OF CUTBACKS

The research focused on cutbacks that have been made in the context of recent austerity budgets, in an effort to determine which have had the greatest impact on people generally. Interviewees were asked to indicate the areas which they felt had experienced the greatest decline, with the choice of nominating education, health, transport, social welfare and the State pension.

Thinking back upon the recent austerity budget/years, which cutbacks have had the greatest impact on people (or society?) in your view? Which second? And third?

More than half nominated health as the area in which cutbacks have had the greatest impact. Health was mentioned first, second or third by more than 9 in 10.

Cuts to social welfare, whether dole, disability or child allowance, have had greatest impact for 24%, and were mentioned in the top three by three out of every four people. Cuts to education were less likely to be mentioned first, but are in the top three categories in terms of perceived impact for 72%.

The perceived impact of cuts to the State pension or indeed to transport, seem to be considered more minimally. Health, social welfare and education predominate in the public consciousness.

Ranking the impact of cutbacksBase: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

Greatest % Second % Third %

Health53 28 12

24 27 24

14 30 28

7 12 22

2 3 13

Social Welfare(dole, disability,child allowance)

Education

State pension

Transport

TOTAL SEX AGE SOCIAL CLASS

Male Female U25 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+ ABC1 C2 DE F

Base: 1004 475 529 145 190 285 229 155 444 221 263 76

% % % % % % % % % % % %

Health 53 54 52 35 49 57 60 61 52 58 47 67

Social Welfare (dole, disability, child allowance)

24 23 25 29 27 23 22 20 19 34 13

Education 14 14 15 27 18 14 10 4 18 15 10 10

State Pension 7 7 8 5 5 6 5 17 6 7 7 10

Transport 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 2 -

17

Ranking the impact of cutbacks by demographicsBase: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

4


6


7



Which of these groups do you feel was hit hardest by austerity budgets/measures?

SEX AGE SOCIAL CLASS

Total Male Female U25 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+ ABC1 C2 F

% % % % % % % % % % % % %

Families with young children

Older people

Young people

Families

Middle class

Lower socio-economic class

36 38 34 32 39 44 28 33 34 36 41 34 37

16 14 17 15 13 9 17 29 15 15 12 21 13

12 11 14 20 16 10 7 11 12 12 7 13 12

10 10 10 12 9 10 10 10 8 12 9 12 9

9 9 9 4 7 10 14 8 13 9 11 6 10

8 7 8 7 6 9 11 4 8 8 6 7 8

RECESSIONHEALTH IMPACT

Urban Rural

Impact of austerity by demographicsBase: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

DE

%

37

18

14

11

3

8

Middle aged people 5 6 3 1 5 5 7 2 5 3 3 5 45

Married people 1 1 2 1 – 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 12

Upper class * * * 1 – – * – * – – 0 0–

Single people * – 1 3 – * – – 1 * – 1 0–

Don’t know 3 4 2 4 4 2 3 * 2 3 9 – 42

1,004 475 529 145 190 285 229 155 444 221 76 276 728263Base:

Looking at responses by gender, age and social class magnifies the perception that the impact on families with young children is sensed more by those aged between 35 and 49, essentially the core family life stage.

Older adults were the second most likely to have been nominated as the key casualty of austerity budgets, and this is particularly true when we isolate the responses of adults over the age of 65. However, even among this group, families with young children still tended to be mentioned ahead of older people. Not surprisingly, younger people were disproportionately more likely to be mentioned by those under the age of 25.

IMPACT OF AUSTERITY

Respondents were asked to indicate the groups they felt have been hardest hit by austerity budgets and measures in recent years. They were given the choice of nominating families with young children, older people, young people, singles and so on. In effect, they could nominate age groups, life stage groups and groups of different socio-economic backgrounds.

Which, of these groups do you feel was hit hardest by austerity budgets/measures?

Almost 72% of respondents believe that families with young children have been impacted by austerity budgets, with more than a third suggesting that they have in fact been the hardest hit. As such, they were twice as likely to be nominated as the hardest hit group than any other listed. 16% felt older people were impacted most by austerity measures whilst 12% felt that young people were hardest hit.

The findings suggest a consensus that the primary difference in impact is related to life stage and there appears to be broad acceptance that the impact has been widely felt, albeit most particularly so by those with younger children.

Impact of austerityBase: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

Hit hardest % Some impact % Total %

Families with young children 36 36 72

16 31 47

10 26 36

8

12 19

23 31

9

31

16 25

5 19 24

1 12 13

9 9

1 1

3 11 14

Older people

Families

Young people

Lower socio-economic class

Middle class

Middle aged people

Married people

Single people

Upper class

Don’t know


8


9



16% of the sample suggest that at some stage since the start of the recession they have lost a job, while 11% indicate that their partner has lost their job since the recession started. While these figures have risen since 2009, they have started to fall back since the question was asked in the 2013 Pfizer Health Index.

Almost 1 in 10 adults in Ireland suggest that they have stopped paying for private medical insurance since the start of the recession, and this represents about a fifth of the (previous) market for private health insurance.

7% of adults indicate that they have stopped using a car, or taken a car off the road, which represents about 1 in 10 Irish motorists. In addition, almost a third of respondents indicate they have changed utility suppliers since the start of the recession.

In the analysis of the data, the figures relating to job loss, reduction in hours worked and reduction in income is cumulated and the composite figure is used as a measure of fundamental recessionary impact. The proportion that experienced a fundamental impact was as high as 49% in 2011 but has reduced to 40% by 2014. The most severe impact is noted by adults between the ages of 35 and 50, but there has been an improvement in what we describe as fundamental impact between the ages of 25 and 34. This reinforces the suggestion that the recession has hardest hit those in the core family life stage, and particularly those with young children. Those who are pre-family or post-family are less likely to have experienced a fundamental impact.

CHANGES THAT HAVE COME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE RECESSION

Respondents were asked to indicate the cutbacks or changes they had made in their own lives since the start of the recession, mirroring a question that has been asked in the previous four Health Index reports.

Which of the following has happened to you or to your immediate family as a result of this current recession?

Spending less on luxuries

Avoid making big purchases

Finding it much harder to make ends meet

Going out/socialising less

Grocery shopping in cheaper shops now

Not booking overseas holidays

Not booking any holidays

Changed utility suppliers

Difficulties making loan or mortgage payments

Self: Reduced salary at work

Partner: Reduced salary at work

Personally lost job

Giving up gym or club memberships

Self: Reduced hours at work

Queried cost of medicines with GP/pharmacistCutting down on kids after-school/extra curricular/lessons

Asked GP/pharmacist to prescribe cheaper medicines

Partner: Reduced hours at work

Partner has lost job

Stopped paying for private medical insurance

Stopped using car/car off the road

Personal impact of recession: Medium term shifts (2009 & 2014)Base: 1004 adults aged 16+, 3, 551,000

7078

6674

4869

4569

4560

3248

3147

3218

3116

2210

187

168

1613

1414

71414

712

311

9

7

%2009 2014

The broad pattern of response remains the same year on year, with most suggesting that they are not buying luxuries and that they are avoiding buying bigger items. Almost 7 in 10 suggested they are finding it harder to make ends meet and a similar proportion say that they are going out or socialising less than they had been before. In both of these regards, the proportions agreeing have substantially risen since 2009, constituting two of the most significant changes registered over the past five years. There has also been quite a sizeable growth in the number suggesting that they are neither booking holidays nor booking overseas holidays, with both levels having risen from roughly a third to a half over the past five years.

Fundamental Recession Impact

Respondent or partner has had salary or hours reduced or lost job (1,137,000)

U25 22% 25-34 46% 35-49 61% 50-64 40% 65+ 10%

2009 2010 2011 2013

34%

43%

49%

43%

2014

40%


10


11



PRIORITISING GOVERNMENT SPENDING

Respondents were asked to indicate how they feel spending and investment should be prioritised as the country emerges from austerity/recession.

As we now emerge from austerity, I would like you to rank in order of your priority where you feel that money/investment should be prioritised going forward? Rank 1st/2nd/3rd

Prioritisation of spendBase: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

Greatest % Second % Third %

Health 51 1534

21 30 49

28 36 36

Social Welfare(dole, disability,child allowance)

Education

More than half of respondents feel that the greatest focus needs to be placed on investment in health, and it is voted first or second by 85% of the population. It surpasses all other categories, with education tending to be placed in second place overall, and social welfare third. Of the three choices, social welfare, (encompassing dole, disability and child allowance) was ranked third by almost half of the sample.

Thinking about your current level of disposable income, can you see it improving in 2014 or not?

When asked whether people feel their current level of disposable income is likely to improve in 2014 or not, almost 1 in 5 responded that they felt it would. This suggests that the vast majority of Irish adults do not believe there will be an improvement in their personal situation in 2014. An improvement in disposable income is more evident in men and particularly so in adults under the age of 35. The view that income is likely to improve in the year ahead is reflected more by higher socio-economic than lower socio-economic groups. Older adults were less inclined to agree that their current level of disposable income is likely to improve in 2014.

Disposable income

% in agreement

Male 24%

Female 15%

U25 28%

25-34 26%

25-49 21%

50-64 12%

65+ 8%

ABC1 26%

C2DE 15%

Urban 20%

Rural 18%

81

19

Yes

No


12


13



As a follow-on question, participants were asked which groups should be first to get greater health benefits. Respondents were presented with the following options: married people with families, older people, single people with young children, and students.

Of the following groups, who do you feel should be first to get greater health benefits (such as medical cards)?

Prioritisation of health benefits by demographicBase: 1,004 adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

Total1004

%

Male475

%

Female529

%

U25145

%

25-34190

%

35-49285

%

50-64229

%

65+155

%

Married peoplewith families

Older people

Single people withyoung children

StudentsOther

Don’t know

ABC1444

%

C2221

%

DE263

%

F76%

Yes276

%

No628

%

GENDER AGE SOCIAL CLASSRECESSION

HEALTH IMPACT

45

31

17

322

50

31

14

312

41

32

20

422

32

27

24

11

6

47

27

22

212

47

30

16

231

49

33

12

321

45

41

9112

45

30

16

432

44

36

12

323

44

30

23

21

52

30

10

116

17

46

33

211

16

45

31

423

Married people with families attracted highest support, followed by older people then single people with young children.

There is much greater support for married people with families between the ages of 25 and 64, while almost a quarter of adults under the age of 35 would choose to prioritise the needs of single people with young children.

It is among the group over 65 years of age that a preference for older adults emerges, but again, registering somewhat lower than the level of preference for married people with families.

Results differ somewhat by age group and social class, with a focus on health more pronounced over the age of 35 and being relegated to second place, after education, by those under the age of 25.

SEX AGE SOCIAL CLASS

Total

Health

Education

Social welfare (dole, disability,child allowance)

Prioritisation of spend (first choice) by demographicsBase: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

%

51

28

21

1,004

Male

%

51

29

20

475

Female

%

51

27

22

529

U25

%

37

44

20

145

25-34

%

50

27

23

190

35-49

%

54

27

19

285

50-64

%

55

23

21

229

65+

%

54

21

25

155

ABC1

%

52

33

16

444

C2

%

53

28

19

221

F

%

61

19

20

76

DE

%

46

23

31

263Base:

Education is prioritised only among those under 25. Slightly higher focus is placed on social welfare among those from lower socio-economic groups and those aged over 65 years.

Middle class and younger adults are more likely to favour education as a key priority, but across all social grades, health is prioritised ahead of education or social welfare.

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX FUNDING OFHEALTHCARE

15


14


HEALTHCARE FUNDING

Since 2010 the proportion of adults holding private medical insurance has declined from 44% of the population to 33% today. The rate of decline was more pronounced between 2010 and 2012, but has slowed in recent years.

Which of the following descriptions apply to you - I have a medical card, I have private medical insurance, I have neither medical card nor private insurance?

Funding Medical CareBase: All Adults aged 16+, 1,003 / 3,551,000

2010

2011

2012

PrivateMedicalInsurance 2013

2014

44%

40%

35%

34%

33%

MedicalCard

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

36%

41%

44%

41%

39%

Neither PMInor MedicalCard

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

25%

23%

25%

27%

31%

1,539,000

1,419,000

1,250,000

1,220,000

1,175,000

1,255,000

1,470,000

1,573,000

1,474,000

1,376,000

868,000

842,000

968,000

947,000

1,105,000

Over the same time period, the number of people with medical cards had climbed to a high of 44% in 2012, but has since retracted to 39% of the population in 2014.

As numbers with both private cover and medical cards has fallen, we see a growth in the number of the people who have neither private insurance nor a medical card. This group constituted only 23% of adults in 2011 but it has risen to 31% today.

Continuing in the context of families and children, respondents were asked their opinion on the proposal to extend GP visit cards to all children aged 5 years or under.

Would you personally be in favour of or opposed to a proposal to extend GP visit cards to all children aged five years or under (i.e.:1 to 5 inclusive)?

GP care to children 5 and underBase: 1,004 adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

Total1004

%

Male475

%

Female529

%

U25145

%

25-34190

%

35-49285

%

50-64229

%

65+155

%

Strongly in favour

In favour

Neither in favournor against

Against

Strongly against

ABC1444

%

C2221

%

DE263

%

F76%

Yes276

%

No728

%

GENDER AGE SOCIAL CLASSRECESSION

HEALTH IMPACT

47

29

13

9

3

44

30

14

9

3

49

28

11

9

3

38

33

14

11

5

49

30

16

32

57

27

9

62

57

24

11

63

33

33

14

14

6

47

26

12

11

3

46

33

14

43

50

27

10

4

30

35

20

12

3

50

23

13

10

4

45

31

12

83

Yes390

%

No614

%

CHILDREN INHOUSEHOLD

60

23

10

62

29

33

16

17

4

9

Almost half suggest that they are strongly in favour of this proposal, with as many as three quarters broadly in favour. Opposition to the idea registers no higher than 12%, so the margin of preference is of the order of 6:1.

Support for the proposal is much stronger among parents of young children and among those aged between 25 and 50. A majority at each age group is in support of the proposal, although a third of over 65 year olds are opposed to the proposal or undecided.

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX ILLNESS EXPERIENCE

17

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEXFUNDING OFHEALTHCARE

16

Looking at cumulated data over eight years we are able to examine disease incidence based on a sample of 8,174 respondents.

Do you suffer from any of the following conditions?

Approximately 4 in 10 adults claim to have one of a number of significant medical conditions. The incidence of most conditions rises substantially with age, with a majority experiencing one or more conditions over the age of 50. Illness experience is much less prevalent in those aged under 50.

The 2014 survey illustrates that 11% of the adult population experience high or low blood pressure, with arthritis experienced by 10% and high cholesterol by 9%.

Almost half of adults up to the age of 35 indicate that they have neither a medical card nor private medical insurance. The likelihood of holding private medical cover grows from a fifth to more than a third between 35 and 49 and extends to almost a half (46%) between the ages of 50 and 64.

Neither PMI nor medical card Private medical insurance Have medical card

46%

U25 25 - 34 35 - 49 50 - 64 65 - 70

20%

34%

46%

20%

36%33% 35%

33%

20%

46%

36%

7%

43%

62%

Health funding by ageBase: All Adults aged 16+, 1,004 / 3,551,000

Conditions personally experienced: 2007 to 2014 combinedBase: All Aged 16+, 8,174 / 3,551,000

402,000

362,000

306,000

210,000

143,000

144,000

146,000

139,000

122,000

87,000

66,000

46,000

20,000

U25

8 years consolidated data

16

1

1

*

9

3

1

*

*

1

*

*

*

*

25-34

19

2

2

1

6

3

2

1

1

3

*

*

1

1

35-49

30

6

4

6

5

4

4

2

3

5

1

1

1

1

50-64

57

21

17

17

5

5

7

7

6

4

4

3

2

1

65+

4

4

7

15

12

3

10

5

1

-

80

34

36

22

Any condition 38%

11%

9%

6%

4%

High/Low Blood Pressure

Arthritis

High Cholesterol

Asthma

Infections (chest, urinary, ear, throat)

Chronic pain (i.e. head/back)

Heart Disease

Diabetes

Depression

Osteoporosis

Cancer

Obesity

Other mental illness

10%

4%

4%

4%

3%

2%

2%

1%

1%


19

HEALTH INTENTIONSTHE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEXILLNESS EXPERIENCE

18

HEALTH INTENTIONS

Respondents were asked about their intention to make positive health changes in the subsequent three months.

Which of the following, if any, do you think you are likely to do in the next three months?

The proportion indicating that they are prepared to make any change in their life to be healthier continues to rise. Three categories in particular have grown over the past three years; with a ten percentage point growth in the number of adults intending to be active and take more exercise, 4% more intending to lose weight, and a similar number hoping to adopt a more balanced diet. Indeed, these are three of the most prevalent responses, with becoming active and taking more exercise establishing a strong first place over the past three years.

Would you consider (your condition) to be severe, moderate, mild or of no effect to you at all?

Severe Moderate Mild No effect Don’t know

Illness severityBase: All Respondents 8,174 / 3,551,000

8 years consolidated

data

46

40

13

3426

39

32

21 1

Severe

Moderate

Mild

Don’t knowNo effect

24

43

29

4

18

32

35

13

17

41

31

9

1 1

16

49

33

21

16

46

32

6

15

41

40

4

11

36

49

3

9

43

42

6

ChronicPain

(356)%

Cancer(167)

%

Arthritis(911)

%

Infections(339)

%

Osteoporosis(215)

%

Asthma(469)

%

Depression(283)

%

Diabetes(335)

%

HeartDisease(367)

%

Othermentalillness(40*)%

High/LowBlood

Pressure(1000)

%

HighCholesterol

(762)%

29

25

11

7

46

39

7

*Small base size

The cumulated data on illness experience shows that perceived severity differs substantially by condition. Those experiencing chronic pain are more likely to regard the condition as more severe, whereas at the other end of the scale, cholesterol, blood pressure and asthma are all broadly seen as much less severe, with many considering them to be ‘mild’ or of ‘limited effect’.

+10%

3 Year Change

+1%

+4%

+4%

+2%

+1%

+2%

0%

+1%

+1%

2011 2013 2014

Being active/taking more exercise

Be less stressed

Try to lose weight

Adopt a more balanced diet

Get more sleep

Give up smoking

Become better informed about health

Reduce alcohol intake

Work less

Visit the doctor more often

Short term* health intentionsBase: 1004 adults aged 16+, 3, 551,000

2532

35

20

2119

1417

18

121616

1216

148

69

58

7444

33

4

24

%

3

*Likely to do in the next 3 months

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX HEALTH ASSESSMENT

21


20

HEALTH INTENTIONS

HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Since the introduction of the Pfizer Health Index, respondents have been asked to assess their own personal health out of ten, where 10 is excellent health and 1 is very poor health.

If you were to assess your own personal health out of 10, where 10 is excellent health and 1 is very poor health, how would you rate yourself?

The vast majority give themselves a very positive mark, with 2 out of 3 assessing themselves as 8 out of 10 or better. The proportion scoring their health this high has lifted over the course of the survey, although it fluctuates from year to year.

The average volunteered score, at 7.9 out of 10 is very high, and it should be noted that just 1 in 6 score their own health as below 7 out of 10.

Those that state being in average or poor health report to intend to be more active in the short term, and equally have an intention to be less stressed and lose weight. Those who are in poor health are twice as likely as the rest of the population to want to give up smoking in the short term.

We noted earlier that roughly 28% of the population felt that the recession had in some way negatively impacted their health. Looking at health intentions of people that felt the recession had in some way negatively impacted their health, we see that they are considerably more likely to want to adopt an exercise regime and to want to become less stressed. Weight reduction is also a greater need for them. 1 in 8 claim that they would like to give up smoking in the short term, in comparison with just 1 in 12 of those for whom the recession has not had a substantial health impact.

.

TOTAL PERSONAL HEALTH RECESSION HEALTH IMPACT

Good Average Poor Has Impacted Not Impacted

% % % % % %

Be active / take more exercise

Be less stressed

Try to lose weight

Adopt a more balanced diet

Get more sleep

Give up smoking

35 27 38 43 39 34

21 16 22 27 28 19

18 7 21 31 22 16

16 12 19 16 16 16

14 12 16 16 15 14

9 7 8 18 12 8

Health intentions by statusBase: Adults aged 16+, 1004 /3,551,000

Become better informed about health 7 6 7 8 8 7

Reduce alcohol intake 4 1 5 6 5 3

Work less 4 3 6 1 3 4

Visit the doctor more often 3 2 2 5 5 1

Don’t know 5 6 5 7 5 6

None of these 23 33 20 12 15 26

1004 329 509 166 276 728Base:

Personal health assessmentBase: All adults aged 16+, 1,004 / 3,551,000

Mean 7.8 7.9 7.8 7.9 7.7 7.6 8.0 7.5 7.9

2005%

2007%

2008%

2009%

2010%

10 out of 10

9 out of 10

8 out of 10

7 out of 10

5 out of 101-4 out of 10

2011%

2012%

2013%

2014%

17

18

26

19

63

10

18

19

27

19

42

9

15

16

29

21

53

11

15

20

29

19

53

9

13

16

30

20

63

12

11

18

30

20

31

10

20

20

25

18

53

8

9

16

30

22

8

3

11

14

19

30

20

61

86 out of 10

1 1 1 1 1

7

Don’t know


23

TRENDS IN SMOKINGTHE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEXHEALTH ASSESSMENT

22

Health perception is strongly a function of age but while average scores weaken over the age of 50, this is mainly attributable to the vast majority giving themselves 7 or 8 out of 10, rather than 9 or 10 out of 10, as is more prevalent below the age of 50.

Men tend to be more positive about their own health than women, as do younger adults under the age of 35 years.

Personal health by demographicsBase: 1,004 adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

Average 2014 7.9 8.0 7.7 8.3 8.2 8.0 7.3 7.3 8.0 8.0 7.6 7.9 7.8 8.0

ALLADULTS

2014%

Male%

Female%

U25%

25-34%

35-49%

50-64%

65+%

10 out of 10

9 out of 10

8 out of 10

7 out of 10

5 out of 101-4 out of 10

ABC1%

C2%

DE%

F%

Urban%

Rural%

14

19

30

20

61

8

15

21

32

18

62

6

14

17

29

22

62

11

29

22

24

11

23

9

16

27

32

14

31

8

17

20

32

17

61

7

4

13

32

32

10

4

6

7

11

31

27

92

13

15

21

29

21

41

9

19

15

36

16

62

7

11

17

31

21

83

9

14

27

21

23

71

8

13

17

32

21

53

9

17

22

29

18

71

76 out of 10

SMOKING

The number of respondents who smoke continues to decline year on year. In 2014, 25% of participants reported to smoke, down significantly from 33% in 2012.

When did you last smoke cigarettes?

It is also noteworthy that the incidence of smoking among those who believe they are in good health stands at just 21%, rising to 27% among those who believe themselves to be in average health, and 39% among those who believe they are in poor health.

Incidence of SmokingBase: 1,004 adults aged 16+, 3,551,000

20112010 2012 2013 2014

HEALTH

% % %

Good Average Poor

% % %

Medical Card

PrivateInsurance NeitherFemale

%

GENDER

Smoking Past Week by Demographics

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

35

35

35

27

27

27

27

30

24

27

25

25

30

16

21

33

33

32

26

27

33

33

40

34

39

38

38

39

37

38

17

17

17

11

11

36

36

39

23

29

HEALTH COVER

Male

%31

1133

31

1133

33

33

25

1228

23

1125

Past week Past month Past year


24

PRIORITISATION OFHEALTH THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX

25

If you were made Minister for Health, could you give me the order in which you would address the following priorities? Only rate those you feel you would want to address.

Since the initiation of the Index the vast majority of adults place greatest focus on providing more hospitals or indeed hospital beds. This remains the number one concern for most, but the introduction into the survey of free universal healthcare, even with the need to increase taxes, has served to depress the extent to which hospital beds are the number one priority. A fifth now give their first vote to the introduction of free universal healthcare, the proportions scoring it first, second or third, have doubled to 38% since it was first mooted in 2011.

There is also a greater perceived need to provide more medical cards and to implement screening programmes.

PRIORITISATION OFHEALTH

25

THE PRIORITISATION OF HEALTH

Since the introduction of the Pfizer Health Index, a series of questions has been posed to ask the public how they prioritise health relative to other facets such as finances and money, happiness, job security and so on.

Thinking about the future which of the following would concern you most? Which second? Third? And which others are of concern to you at all?

Comparing 2014 data to that collected in 2013, we see an increase in the prioritisation of the health and welfare of one’s family. Indeed, both personal health and family health have risen as overall priorities. We also see much greater focus being placed on finances and money as well as on the cost of living.

Ranking of personal concerns, 2014Base: Adults aged 16+

All Vs 2013

+6

+1

+3

+3

-1

+4

+4

Greatest % Second % Third % Of concern

Health & welfare of family 30 23 15 12

20 1622 15

1519 15

10

21

1616

Personal health

Finances/money

Cost of living

Being happy

Job security

Children being successful

24

5 7 15 27

7 8 8 20

5 4 8 18

80

73

70

66

54

43

35

At all

First Second Third

Provide more hospital beds

Introduce free universal healthcare(and need to increase taxes)

Provide more access to GPs

Provide more access to non GP/non-hospital services

Implement screening programmes

Reimburse the cost of medicine

Provide more medical cards

Implement public awareness campaigns

Give people tax incentives to be healthier

Tax cigarettes & alcohol more heavily

Tax food & drinks that people should consumeless of (fatty/fast)

Provide more medical cards

Medium term change* in prioritisation of health issues 2011-2014

47 13 8

%

20112014

20112014

20112014

20112014

20112014

20112014

20112014

20112014

20112014

20112014

20112014

68

41 19 11 71

9 6 5 20

20 11 7 38

8 13 7 28

6 12 12 30

4 15 13 32

6 12 14 32

5 8 10 23

5 10 12 27

3 7 10 20

4 8 9 21

7 8 7 22

7 10 8 25

2 4 5 11

2 3 6 11

3 4 7 14

4 3 6 13

4 5 4 13

3 5 4 12

1 3 3 7

2 3 4 9

*Change from 2011-2014


26

SOCIAL CLASS DEFINITIONS

The market research industry classifies respondents relative to the occupation of the Head of Household. In other words, a working adult, still living in the parental home, will be classified relative to their parents’ classification.

A: These are professional people, very senior managers in business or commerce or top-level civil servants.

B: Middle management executives in large organisations, with appropriate qualifications. Principal officers in local government and civil service, top management or owners of small business concerns, education and service establishments.

C1: Junior management, owners of small establishments, and all other non-manual positions.

ABC1’s: All of the above: approximately 40% of the population. Collectively ABC1’s are referred to as middle class.

C2: All skilled manual workers and those manual workers with responsibility for other people. C2s are approximately 22% of the population.

D: All semi-skilled and unskilled workers, apprentices and trainees to skilled workers.

E: All those entirely dependent on the state, long term, through sickness, unemployment, old age or other reasons. Those unemployed for a period exceeding six months, casual workers and those without regular income.

DE’s: Represents approximately 30% of the total population.

C2DE’s: 52% of the adult population and referred to as lower socio-economic.

F: A separate social grade in Ireland, referring to farmers and their dependents. This group has contracted very severely over the past 15 years to about 7% of population, having been over 20% at one stage.


27

HOW THE RESEARCH WAS UNDERTAKEN

The 2014 Pfizer Health Index was conducted as a sample survey of 1,004 adults aged 16 and over, with interviewing undertaken on a face-to-face basis, in-home.

The purpose of the survey is to update national perceptions of health and wellbeing, using a questionnaire which has remained broadly the same since the study was introduced nine years ago. Greater focus has been placed on certain aspects from year-to-year and the broad topic in focus in 2014 is the recovery from recession and the impact it has had on the national health and psyche.

The Pfizer Health Index has been conducted annually since 2005. Data on disease incidence and experience has been cumulated across the various years, providing us with a more stable and robust dataset, and enabling greater focus on individual diseases and conditions.

The study is a nationally representative survey of the adult population and uses quota controls to reflect the latest census of population in terms of gender, age, region and area of residence. Standard social class quota controls are also imposed based upon industry agreed estimates. Social class is determined by the occupation of the Head of Household or Chief Income Earner, and the following terminologies are used; AB, people from higher professional and managerial backgrounds; C1, those from lower middle class backgrounds; C2, those from skilled working class backgrounds; D, those from unskilled working class backgrounds; E, those who survive solely on State payments (and/or who don’t have a private pension) and F, farmers and their dependants. Sampling points are chosen in proportion to population within a predetermined regional framework, and interviewing is distributed across 63 sampling locations, which are chosen randomly within this regional structure.

Fieldwork on the research was undertaken between 31st March and 9th April of 2014.

Interviewing is undertaken by highly trained and closely supervised members of Behaviour & Attitudes interviewer panel, and detailed back checks on completed interviews are undertaken. The interview itself is administered on small portable netbook computers; the questions are asked and the data entered by the interviewer, rather than by the respondent. The data is transmitted in an encrypted format.

SOCIAL CLASS DEFINITIONS METHODOLOGY

26 27

Marketing

Pfizer health index 2014