Are we doing enough to support our own health? Is the government?

Transcription

1 Are we doing enough to support our own health? Is the government? Attitudes to personal responsibility in healthcare A report by Benenden Launched at the House of Commons 28 June 2016

2 Foreword By Marc Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Benenden Are individuals doing enough to support a healthy lifestyle and, more importantly, do they believe that the level of intervention from the government to support such action is sufficient? Could the public be doing more to support their own health? For the last seven years, Benenden has used its annual Westminster Reception to launch reports on topical issues that align our business interests with those that are of significance to policymakers. This year our focus is on peoples views on personal responsibility for health. The evidence from this report suggests that the public could be doing more but believe that the government should be a greater support. The problem for the government is how to do this in the most cost effective way that provides tangible outcomes across the whole of the UK. For Benenden, the results of this survey allow us to formulate ways in which we can engage and encourage our membership of nearly 900,000 and the general public as a whole, to take further steps in the pursuit of personal responsibility for health and wellbeing. Of course, those members of Benenden are already helping to relieve pressure on certain services in the process. With the NHS under enormous pressure, both at the frontline and with regards to its finances, this report reveals some interesting questions for both Benenden and politicians to consider. I hope that you will find it useful and informative. Marc Bell, Chief Executive Officer 2

3 Helping ourselves? As far back as 1994, the Department of Health began its 5 A Day campaign to encourage people to eat a combination of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. By the early 2000s the government of the day was recommending that 30 minutes of exercise, three times a week, was a good way to keep healthy. One of the aims of these interventions was to encourage personal responsibility for health. Yet despite these guidelines, the number of people with long-term diseases linked to diet and lack of exercise, such as diabetes and coronary disease, are on the increase. The first part of our study asked the general public about their attitude towards their own health and wellbeing. Our panel of 2000 people* were asked if they believe they take enough responsibility for their own health. The outcome shows that over 71% of those surveyed believe that they are doing enough to support their own health and wellbeing. I take enough responsibility for my own health and wellbeing 27% Strongly disagree/ Disagree 71% Agree/ Strongly agree However, our survey shows great contradictions. Data from other parts of our survey does not back up this analysis. The statistics show that when it comes to investing enough thought, time, energy and cost into maintaining good health and wellbeing, the reality is different. *See back cover for more information on the methodology 3

4 Opting for a healthy lifestyle? Our survey found that despite their belief that they are taking responsibility for their own health, many of the same group of people didn t meet the recommended amounts of fresh food, exercise and sleep. Roughly, how often do you do the following? Every day Several times a week Once or twice a week Once or twice a month Less often I never do this Prefer not to say Exercise Eat five portions of fruit or vegetable Eat fresh food Eat sugary, fatty or processed foods Sleep for eight hours Drink alcohol Smoke cigarettes 17 % 21 % 48 % 15 % 17 % 8 % 15 % 25 % 25 % 7 % 14 % 11 % 2 % 33 % 22 % 8 % 10 % 6 % 1 % 2 % 1 % 33 % 12 % 3 % 1 % 31 % 28 % 9 % 12 % 5 % 1 % 25 % 25 % 8 % 13 % 11 % 1 % 16 % 28 % 15 % 16 % 16 % 1 % 1 % 4 % 2 % 3 % 73 % 2 % Take time to relax 37 % 27 % 21 % 6 % 6 % 2 % 1 % Healthy eating 73% don t eat five portions of fruit and/or vegetables a day 24% eat the advised level of fruit and veg less than twice a week More than 1 in 6 admit to indulging in sugar-packed, fatty, processed food at least once a day Exercise One quarter of those questioned exercise less than once a month, if at all 8% drink alcohol every day Sleep and Relaxation 75% don t get their recommended eight hours of sleep, 11% admit to NEVER getting the right amount More people find time to relax each day (37%) than they do to eat the recommended amount of fresh fruit and veg (21%) This later finding may be in part due to the ease and relatively low-cost ways in which people can relax (go for a walk/watch TV) as opposed to the proportionately higher financial and time cost to eat fresh food. See the Force Fed 1 report by The Food Foundation for further information. Please note that these findings are all in keeping with previous Benenden research 2 and reveal there has been no real improvement between the situation two years ago and today See Benenden s National Health report

5 How should the government intervene in the personal health agenda? The second part of our report looks at the general public s opinions on the government s role in the personal responsibility agenda. We asked our respondents three questions and asked them on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree) their views on the following: The government should encourage people to take personal responsibility for their health 0-5 = negative 44% 6-7 = less positive 8-10 = positive 29% 27% The government does enough to encourage people to take personal responsibility for their health 0-5 = negative 62% 6-7 = less positive 21% 8-10 = positive 9% The government has the right approach to encourage people to take responsibility for their own health 0-5 = negative 64% 6-7 = less positive 19% 8-10 = positive 9% 44% don t think that the government has a role to play in supporting this agenda 62% believe that the government isn t doing enough 64% believe the government isn t taking the right approach to encouraging personal responsibility for health. However the government might be pleased to hear that the planned levy on sugar announced in the 2016 Queen s Speech was favoured by 55% of our members survey 3. It can also take comfort from the fact that people in the UK are far more agreeable to a sugar tax than respondents in other countries. In a separate survey 4, 60% of UK respondents expressed support for such a tax. This contrasts with opinion in Germany, where a majority of people said they would be unlikely to support it. The government should also take heart from the results shown on page four that suggest its campaign against smoking is achieving success with 73% of respondents saying that they never smoke. However it should be noted that this campaign began in earnest in the 1960s and has taken two generations to permeate though from campaign to changes in behaviour. 3 Members research conducted by Think (see back page for information) 4 Source: Incisive Health report May

6 Where should the focus be? We asked our panel which group of people should be the focus of any new government campaigns to encourage personal responsibility for health. Imagine the government launched a new campaign to encourage people to take personal responsibility for their health. Who do you think this campaign should mainly be targeted at? Age of respondent Total Male Female The Silent Generation, born between approx and 1942 (age 74-91) 4% 6% 2% 9% 1% 2% The Baby Boomers, born between approx (age 52-70) 9% 9% 9% 8% 7% 12% Generation X, born between approx and 1980 (age 36-51) 18% 18% 18% 11% 21% 20% The Millennial Generation, born between 1980 and 2000 (age 16-35) 37% 34% 39% 39% 34% 37% Generation Z, born between approx and present (age 0-15) 14% 15% 13% 13% 16% 14% None of the above 19% 18% 20% 21% 21% 15% 55% believe that the focus should be on those of working age. The Millennials (those born between 1980 and age 16-35) topped the list of age groups that the government should focus on, and not just with those born within that age bracket. Men and the younger generation (18-34) were more in favour of a focus on the Silent Generation (those over 74). Interestingly 19% don t think that there should be a focus based on age. Verbatim comments from our survey show a tendency to believe that nothing can be done to undo the ills of the Baby Boomers generation so they believe the focus and money should be spent trying to prevent issues for those between 16 and 52. (It is) easier to educate this age group They are old enough to understand and they will listen more It will get a better response if they change behaviour 6

7 Conclusion - is enough enough? Our survey reveals major contradictions between peoples belief that they are doing enough to take care of their health. The facts show that a large majority don t eat healthily and don t get enough sleep. If people find it easier to relax than to eat healthy food, we have to ask ourselves about the cost of food and also, how we change our routines: the government has a role to play in that dynamic. The results of the Benenden survey also indicate the general public believe that the government is not doing enough to support them. But this viewpoint is set against a backdrop of the media constantly revealing contradictions to the official advice that the government issues in relation to things such as our diet 4. It is perhaps not surprising that the general public are confused and seemingly ignoring the advice that is given. Our broad analysis shows there is a willingness to engage in this agenda and support for the government to engage in campaigns that will encourage, particularly the working age population, to be responsible for of their health. The recent One You 5 campaign is a good example of this being put into action. Benenden has, and will continue to, support ongoing discussions on this topic area. We will ensure our members voices are heard in the debate around personal responsibility and health. The role of organisations like ours is to give a balanced overview of the different arguments, provide information to allow our members to make informed choices about their own lifestyle and to take responsibility for their own health. If we as a nation don t take responsibility, the consequences for our own health and the health of the NHS will be dire. 4 See 5 See 7

8 About Benenden Our vision is to become the UK s leading health and wellbeing mutual community. Our parent organisation, the Benenden Healthcare Society, is a mutual, founded in Its original mission in the early 20th Century was to provide affordable treatment for postal workers suffering from Tuberculosis before evolving into the organisation it is today: providing a wide range of affordable, discretionary services and retaining our mutual ethos. About the research Public research Undertaken by Opinium Research s UK Consumer Omnibus Nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults (18+) weighted to ONS criteria Survey undertaken on Friday 20 May 2016 Member research (1) Undertaken by Alterline Research (as part of Benenden s regular quarterly Member Experience tracker) Administered online via an campaign to 14,554 respondents The survey achieved 1,654 completes between 6th and 27th May 2016 Member research (2) A survey of 1,021 Benenden members, April 2016 undertaken by Think For information relating to this report please contact: Cheryl Cox, Public Affairs Manager E: cheryl.cox@benenden.co.uk T: Find us on Facebook: Benenden UK Follow us on SP9880/06.16/V1