Nearly one-in-three Americans have economized on healthcare consultations and more than one-quarter have found ways to reduce spending on medications due to the ongoing economic doldrums, according to a new survey by Euro RSCG Worldwide.
With more than 43 percent of survey respondents saying that their financial situation is worse now than it was last year, it is not surprising that many have found ways to economize on their healthcare spending. What is surprising is that despite the lower spending, 83 percent viewed their overall health in a positive light with 22 percent saying their health has improved in the last year. That optimism also affects how people feel about their health in the future, with 27 percent expecting their health will improve and another 62 percent saying it will stay the same.
"The dire economic news just keeps coming, and clearly a lot of people have been badly affected, yet the survey results show a lot more positivity and resilience than you might have expected. After all those years of apparent plenty, Americans are now figuring out ways to maintain good health and good spirits through tougher times," said Julie Monroid, partner and chief strategic officer of Havas Worldwide Health, the umbrella company for RSCG Worldwide in a press release.
[See also: Recession blamed for low growth rate in health spending; Survey finds consumers worried about healthcare costs]
The healthcare spending trends could continue this year as Americans continue to economize. More than half have reported they are looking to trim avoidable expenses, such as dining out in order to save money for their medical needs. Nearly two-in-five respondents (39 percent) reported they are proactively working to avoid health problems by eating better, exercising or practicing relaxation techniques.
Other notable survey findings include:
- More men than women report negatively affected mood. Almost half (45 percent) of men say their mood has been affected heavily or noticeably, compared with 33 percent of women.
- More women than men are thinking more about job security and health coverage. The economy has prompted 40 percent of women to think more about job security, compared with 33 percent of men; 37 percent of women are thinking more about healthcare coverage versus 33 percent of men.
- Most people rate their health positively. The great majority give their health a positive score, ranging from 38 percent saying good to 35 percent very good to 10 percent excellent.
- Of the twenty-eight percent of Americans who have changed their approach to prescriptions and medication, savings strategies include switching to cheaper alternatives (13 percent), reducing the frequency of some medication (8 percent), considering cheaper alternatives (8 percent), stopping some medication (7 percent), switching to over-the-counter medication (7 percent), consulting an adviser to stretch medication dollars (5 percent) and trying alternatives such as acupuncture and yoga (3 percent).
- Of the thirty-one percent who have changed their approach to medical consultations, 12 percent have reduced the frequency of visits, 8 percent have switched to cheaper alternatives, 8 percent have stopped seeking particular consultations and 7 percent are preforming more self-diagnosis.