WundermanThompson-WELL-SINGAPORETakingthepulseofthenation-shealth_20页_4mb

Singapore Health Study Summary

Core Content

The Wunderman Thompson Singapore Health Study provides an in-depth analysis of the physical, mental, and social health of Singaporeans aged 18-70+ years, based on a survey conducted between February and March 2021. The study highlights the impact of the pandemic on health priorities, behaviors, and inequalities, offering insights for government, businesses, healthcare providers, and health brands.

Overall Health Score

• Singapore's overall health score is 6.1 out of 10, indicating room for improvement.
• The score is influenced by the following key dimensions:
  • Healthy actions
  • Financial health
  • Mental health
• The highest scores are among the educated and high-income earners, while the lowest are among women and the unemployed.

Main Findings

Physical Health

• 66% of Singaporeans are more motivated to be healthy.
• 44% feel physically healthier than before the pandemic.
• 73% spend more time on screens, 61% are more sedentary, and 46% work longer hours.
• 40% are not sleeping enough, and 46% are eating more junk food.
• 17% drink more alcohol, 13% smoke more.
• Motivations for physical health vary by age:
  • Gen Z (16-25): Focus on looking good and losing weight.
  • 36-45 years: Motivated by family health.
  • 46-55 years: Concerned about preventing future health problems and remaining independent.
  • 56+ years: Less motivated by appearance compared to younger generations.

Mental Health

• 25% of Singaporeans have considered suicide in the last year.
  • 5% think about it daily, and 8% once or twice a week.
  • Unemployed individuals are most likely to consider suicide regularly.
• 68% believe there is a stigma around mental health issues.
• 79% say mental health is a priority, but only 66% talk about it with friends and only 33% with family.
• 55% cite financial stress as the top factor affecting mental health.
• 47% cite work stress, 21% job security worries, and 18% long working hours.
• Mental health issues lead to:
  • 53% being less productive.
  • 41% eating unhealthy food.
  • 40% exercising less.
  • 33% becoming more reclusive.
  • 21% being more combative.
  • 18% feeling violent.

Relationships

• 49% agree that family stress has increased over the past year.
• 21% report strained relationships between parents and children, and between spouses.
• Families with children under 12 report the highest levels of conflicts and domestic violence.
• 60% feel more comfortable sharing mental health issues with friends than with family.
• 36% say domestic violence has increased due to the pandemic.
• 44% report increased anger levels at home.

Inequities

• Women are less healthy and more likely to engage in unhealthier behaviors compared to men.
• Unemployed individuals are 8x more likely to be unsatisfied with their physical health.
• Higher income and education levels correlate with greater proactiveness in managing health.
• High-income earners are more likely to:
  • Exercise daily (24%).
  • Eat healthier meals (29%).
  • Take supplements (38%).
  • Meditate weekly (31%).
• Middle-income earners are less likely to engage in these healthy behaviors.
• Low-income earners are more likely to be sedentary, lazy, and engage in binge eating.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health is a growing concern, with anxiety and depression affecting a significant portion of the population.
• Stigma continues to prevent open discussions about mental health.
• Unhealthy behaviors are increasing despite greater health motivation, highlighting a gap between intent and action.
• Family relationships are under strain due to pandemic-induced stress and changes in daily routines.
• Health inequalities are evident across gender, employment status, and income levels.
• Personalized support systems and targeted interventions are needed to address the diverse needs of Singaporeans during times of stress.

Recommendations

• Develop personalized health support systems using technology and AI.
• Promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma through education and open conversations.
• Encourage physical activity in daily routines, especially in a society that spends a lot of time on screens.
• Address work-life balance and support family relationships through employer initiatives.
• Provide targeted resources to vulnerable groups, such as the unemployed and low-income individuals.

Acknowledgements

• Authors: Malati Afridi, Rebecca Nadilo
• Editor: Chen May Yee
• Dashboards: Arjit Das, Aamir Khan
• Data & Analytics Team: Matthew Tan, Thomas Brauch, Weiqing Huang, Derek Wong
• Contact: Malati Afridi, malati.afridi@wundermanthompson.com

About Wunderman Thompson

Wunderman Thompson is a creative agency, consultancy, and technology company that offers deep expertise across the customer journey, including communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. The Health Study series aims to provide actionable insights to help shape future health policies and initiatives.