The global pandemic has reshaped the lives of billions around the world, shining a light on the importance of health and well-being in a way that has never been seen before. The human tragedy of this crisis persists and continues to unfold in many places around the world, even as we begin to see some reasons for optimism elsewhere.
For this seventh annual Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey, we spoke to 18,000 people in 21 markets across five continents about their perceptions of health and well- being based on our five well-being indices of family, financial, physical, social and work.
The research is aligned with the changing perceptions of health, including stress, workplace wellness and loneliness. Given the events of the past 18 months, this edition of the study includes several new areas that have risen in importance during the pandemic, such as virtual health, working from home, whole health and resilience.
It is not surprising the latest survey shows all our well- being indices are trending lower than pre-pandemic data from early 2020. However, when compared to the COVID-19 Global Impact Study published in February 2021, we are seeing a gradual rebound in some markets, particularly those where a higher proportion of the population has received a COVID-19 vaccination.
This study identifies where there is optimism, as well as pinpointing specific demographic groups that are more negatively impacted and are likely to require greater support to improve their outlook and perception of health and well-being in the months ahead.
As we look forward and focus on recovering from the pandemic, health and well-being have never been more important. We know that it will be key for our customers, clients, partners and employees to have a greater understanding of how health and well-being are evolving so that we can build a healthier, more optimistic future beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
Jason Sadler, President, Cigna International Markets
