The PruHealth Vitality Index
Our health and the health of our loved ones are by far the most important things to us. Yet despite this, over three quarters of adults admit that it would take being diagnosed with a health condition to actually motivate a change in lifestyle. Understanding what influences people to look after their health as well as the barriers they face is crucial to understanding how we can help improve the health of the nation.
The Vitality Index is a biannual survey examining the nation's attitudes to health and wellbeing and their actual behaviours. The survey offers a regular snapshot of how the nation is doing, as well as fresh insights into people's attitudes to some of the big health issues. Our hope is not only that this information draws attention to the areas that need more focus, but that it will also raise awareness of where things are improving.
Our inaugural Vitality Index highlighted a gap between people’s perceptions of their current state of health and what they do to maintain that health. In just six months there has been a widening of this ‘health perception gap’ with a dramatic increase in the number of people saying their lifestyle is unhealthy.
Key findings
- The number of adults claiming that they are currently in a good state of health remains the same at 69%.
- The number of adults who say that their current lifestyle is unhealthy has significantly increased to 18%.
- Exercise isn’t necessarily the domain of the young. More over 55 year olds exercise at least five times a week than 18-24 year olds.
- Over 50% of adults are unhappy with their current weight.
- 50% of stressed adults say their current levels of stress are having an impact on their home lives. One in five go further, saying current levels are affecting their performance at work.
See an overview of the Index by Shaun Matisonn, Chief Executive, PruHealth.
Download the Vitality Index brochure:
