- Second annual Vitality in America study shows Americans
report downward shifts in physical, emotional and financial
dimensions of health, but optimism is increasing, with nearly half
of adults reporting they look forward to each day
- Research affirms link between high vitality and workforce
productivity, with workers across generations with
high vitality reporting they will work harder to help their
workplace succeed, feel more enthusiastic about their job and have
higher job satisfaction
- Gen Z adults continue to report the lowest levels of
vitality, driven by poor mental health and stress about finances,
and 83% report experiencing negative impacts of social
media
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite
increases in work stress and loneliness, Americans are feeling more
optimistic than last year, with nearly half of adults (47%) looking
forward to each day, according to the latest vitality research from
global health company The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI). The second annual
Vitality in America report confirms that while overall
vitality levels have plateaued, the rise in optimism outpaced the
challenges and stressors Americans experienced in areas of personal
health, finances and job satisfaction over the last year.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9216151-cigna-vitality-in-america-report/
"The disruption of the past few years has had a profound impact on
our collective health and well-being, and we now have an
unprecedented opportunity to change the way health and vitality is
addressed in this country," said David M.
Cordani, chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group. "That's why we
developed the Evernorth Vitality Index -- a scientifically
validated measurement that allows us to quantify and analyze the
dynamic, interdependent factors that infuse vitality into all the
dimensions of a person's life. While these insights guide us to
work that can be done to improve vitality, we know we'll be most
effective working in collaboration across every aspect of our
community, patient by patient, person by person."
Key Findings include:
U.S. adults across generations feel stressed this year, but
optimism is increasing. Adults are most stressed about their
finances (40%), followed by their housing conditions (25%), work
(25%), family or social relationships (25%), and health (24%). At
the same time, 47% of adults now report looking forward to each new
day (up from 43% last year), and 41% report feeling alive and vital
(compared with 39% last year).
Healthy habits and health engagement are linked to higher
vitality. The 18% of adults with high vitality are more likely
to report excellent or very good overall physical health than those
with low vitality. A significant majority – 92% – report getting at
least five hours of sleep per day and 77% report feeling
well-rested always or often. More than half (55%) of high vitality
people with health insurance use their medical benefits often or
sometimes vs. 36% for low vitality counterparts.
Higher health engagement; support systems can help adults
managing chronic conditions be more resilient and
vital. Adults diagnosed with cancer, for example, who
report high levels of vitality are more likely to visit their
doctor for an annual physical (89% for high-vitality adults with
cancer vs. 69% for low vitality adults with cancer) and feel
listened to (87% vs. 32%) and appreciated by their clinicians (81%
vs. 30%).
Mental health is foundational to vitality. Adults
with strong mental health are 10 times more likely to have high
vitality than those with fair or poor mental health. The study
found there is an increase in those receiving counseling from a
mental health professional from 2022 to 2023 (20% to 24%). This is
an encouraging trend and demonstrates that more people are getting
the help they need.
Helping workers improve their vitality yields results.
Workers who report being satisfied with their jobs have higher
vitality scores (73.9 out of 100) than those who are dissatisfied
with their jobs (55.7), and 82% of workers with high vitality
report pursuing tasks that interest them at work (vs. just 9% of
low vitality working adults). Conversely, individuals with lower
levels of vitality tend to feel less capable at work, feel less
confident they can do their job well, and are less willing to work
harder to help the company succeed.
Gen Z adults, the newest members of the workforce, continue
to report the lowest levels of vitality: Gen Z adults continue
to report feelings of loneliness, low levels of resilience, and
report feeling disconnected from their family and friends.
Thirty-five percent of Gen Z adults rate their mental health as
poor, and 53% cite mental health as the most important health
problem facing their generation. Gen Z women in particular report
poor mental health, with only a quarter (26%) describing their
mental health as excellent or very good, vs. 43% for Gen Z men.
Eighty-three percent of Gen Z adults report some form of negative
consequences from social media, significantly higher than older
generations. Although Gen Z continues to report the lowest levels
of vitality, they are gaining ground in building vitality while
other generations stagnate or decline. Relatedly, Gen Z indicates
higher levels of energy and optimism this year and many feel the
life opportunities available to them personally are extremely or
very promising.
"Despite encouraging increases in optimism, financial concerns
and lingering mental health challenges are prevalent, and they
continue to affect people's overall well-being," said Dr.
David Brailer, chief health officer,
The Cigna Group. "Importantly, we also continue to see the
significant impact vitality has on people's success in their
professional lives, both in our research and in early pilots of the
Evernorth Vitality Index with employers. People with higher
vitality are more present in their jobs, more productive, and
perform their roles to a higher standard, indicating that employers
both have an important role to play and see the benefits of
investing in their employees' health and vitality."
In an early pilot with an employer of more than 3,000 employees
who have been enrolled in health plan coverage for at least 12
months, the Evernorth Vitality Index (EVI) provided unique
population health insights. For example, vitality scores in the
pilot population averaged 10 points higher for employees with
positive manager relationships than those with poor manager
relationships (80 vs 70). Those with high vitality were also more
than 20 points more likely to be very satisfied with their job (85
vs 62). Looking at these and other drivers within each dimension of
health, the EVI provides deeper insights into targeted actions and
interventions that may be able to move population level
improvements.
The Vitality in America survey, which builds on last
year's report, uses the EVI to understand the capacity of U.S.
adults to pursue life with health, strength, and energy. Vitality
is composed of eight interdependent, dynamic dimensions of health
and well-being: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual,
occupational, physical, social, and spiritual. A person's perceived
ability to make choices and engage willingly, develop skills and
capacities, and connect to others across these life domains impacts
their vitality. The insights come from a survey of 10,000 adults
conducted by Morning Consult and commissioned by The Cigna Group.
Read the full report here.
To support vitality in communities, The Cigna Group Foundation
has awarded a $1 million grant to the
Y-USA. This funding will support
programming in Memphis,
Nashville, St. Louis, Houston, and Phoenix. Programs across all markets are
designed to help teens and young adults develop leadership and
post-college skills and offer older adults more opportunities for
social connection and healthy activities to improve overall mental
wellness.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) is a global health company committed
to creating a better future built on the vitality of every
individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves
to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna
Group includes products and services marketed under Evernorth
Health Services, Cigna Healthcare, or its subsidiaries. The Cigna
Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and
jurisdictions, and has more than 165 million customer relationships
around the world. Learn more at thecignagroup.com.
Media Contact
Justine
Sessions
(860) 810-6523
Justine.Sessions@evernorth.com
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SOURCE The Cigna Group