"Financial pressures are also affecting mental health, with 44% of respondents saying financial stress is having a negative impact"
More than half of UK adults are finding it harder to prioritise their health and wellbeing as cost of living pressures continue, according to new research from Bupa.
The Bupa Wellbeing Index, based on a survey of 8,002 UK adults, found that 51% said the current economic climate has made prioritising their health and wellbeing more difficult.
Financial pressures are also affecting mental health, with 44% of respondents saying financial stress is having a negative impact. One in five, 20%, said they feel anxious or stressed every day as a result.
The research suggests financial pressures are also contributing to people delaying medical treatment. Almost a quarter, 24%, of those surveyed said delaying treatment because of the cost of living had made their condition worse, while 22% said they had subsequently needed urgent medical attention after ignoring early symptoms.
Work pressures were another factor. Among employed respondents, 56% said they had delayed seeking help for a physical or mental health concern because they did not want to take time off work.
The survey found 41% had worked through an illness rather than take sick leave, while 33% were concerned that taking time off for health reasons could affect their career.
Health concerns are also influencing decisions about employment. Of respondents who had been employed during the previous 12 months, 24% said their mental health had been a key factor in leaving a job, while 18% said the same of their physical health.
The research also surveyed business leaders, with 50% saying employees were citing wellbeing as a primary reason for leaving their jobs. Some 42% said this had increased over the previous 12 months, while 86% agreed that delaying healthcare ultimately affects workplace productivity.
Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation, commented: "The pressures people face in their daily lives can make it harder to prioritise their health, seek support early and stay well. This year’s Bupa Wellbeing Index report highlights the close links between health, work and financial security, and the importance of creating conditions that make it easier for people to stay healthy. Prevention and early intervention, alongside healthier working lives, must be part of the response, including better support from public services and employers".
Chris Carroll, CEO for Bupa Global, India & UK, said: "This year’s Bupa Wellbeing Index highlights a growing national challenge: financial pressures and competing demands are causing many people to put their health on hold, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The consequences are felt not only by individuals, but also across workplaces and the wider economy, as health issues become more complex to treat, recovery takes longer and people struggle to stay well and in work.
"At Bupa, we see employers increasingly investing in workplace health for happy, healthy workforces thriving in their careers, as well as retaining talent to drive productivity and growth. It’s essential that government, employers and healthcare providers work together to expand fast access to care, and individuals continue to prioritise their health - from routine appointments to seeking attention from professionals for health concerns. Through prevention and earlier intervention, we can all help people stay well, remain in work and build a healthier, more resilient economy."
