Singapore: Consumers willing to share data to improve their healthcare

20 Jun 2017

Consumers in Singapore embrace digital technology and are willing to share data if it helps improve their healthcare, according to the Cigna 360° Well-being Survey.

Cigna’s survey, conducted in Singapore for the first time, revealed that most respondents currently use, or plan to use health apps in the coming year (60%) and 41% expressed willingness to share personal health data with a larger community for the good of all, especially with doctors and a national health database run by the government. A third were happy to share data with insurance companies.

Data security and transparency however are major barrier to adoption of apps. Respondents expressed privacy concerns and worry about how and where data might be used, with 61% citing security of personal data as a concern.

80% of respondents believe the usage of digital technology in the healthcare space has the potential to bring good health to more people and 51% would be happy to use a robotic doctor if the cost is much lower than a human doctor.

Singaporeans dissatisfied with their financial situation and family’s health

The survey also found that Singaporeans’ worry most about their finances and family’s health and that workplace health benefits are a critical factor for employees. The well-being scores are calculated based on five weighted pillars - physical, financial, work health, family health and social health.

The financial score in the survey is one of the lowest, with 85% of respondents reporting that they have insufficient money for retirement – 4% higher than the survey average - and 54% saying they are suffering from the current economic environment. Although dissatisfied, Singapore respondents’ financial well-being scores at 51.5%, which suggests a relatively stronger sense of optimism than some of their Asian neighbours such as Hong Kong (50.2%), Taiwan (45.9%) and South Korea (43.3%). Highest scores on this component were India at 65.7% and China at 57.6%.

Family welfare also declined across Asia, with Singapore ranking second lowest at 61.2% after South Korea (56.6%). Respondents said they suffered from both lack of money and time to take care of their families. 70% think they have not spent enough time with their families and only 23% can take care of their parent’s health and well-being.

“The study showed that whilst Singapore is viewed as having one of the most expensive healthcare costs, workplace insurance provided by employers seem to be inadequate and people are falling into the ‘age trap’ by not planning well for retirement,” said Cigna Singapore CEO Lena Tsia.

“The good news is that respondents show a willingness to use digital technology and, importantly, share personal data to improve their healthcare and health awareness, especially if it lowers costs, she added.

The workplace wellness gap

In terms of gaps in workplace health benefits, respondents identified that general practitioner consulting fees, hospitalisation benefits and annual health check-ups can still be improved. About 22% of Singapore respondents did not have a health check in the last 12 months. 41% of those surveyed in Singapore seeks professional help when ill, with most relying on self-administered remedies. While 97% of Singapore respondents are covered by some form of insurance, nearly 60% of them are still paying for their own medical expenses.

The study showed that workplace wellness programs were not yet a strong reason to select an employer, but were frequently cited as a reason to stay with an employer.

The research took place in December 2016 in 13 markets and polled over 14,000 adults, using a quantitative, 20-minute online format. Countries polled were China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the UK. Over 1,000 male and female adults, aged 25 and above, were polled in 11 of the markets; with over 1,500 male and female adults, aged 25 and above, polled in India and China.