Is good health overestimated?
A national survey suggests that Australians could be misjudging when it comes to perceptions of their own physical and mental health.
Despite confessing to consuming too few vegetables and fruit, typically being overweight or obese, frequently drinking too much, and having diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health issues, almost 80% of the respondents of the inaugural Australian Health Indicators survey said they are in “Excellent, Very Good or Good” health.
The online survey of more than 2,000 Australians was undertaken by IPSOS and commissioned by Members Health Funds Alliance, the representative group for 26 Australian not-for-profit health insurance funds, with almost 4 million members.
The survey has highlighted whether this overestimation is in fact putting our actual health and well-being in jeopardy. It has painted a picture of a population possibly not on the lookout for warning signs of poor health and illness, not seeking health advice when needed or at least delaying it, and one not taking enough preventative action to reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses.
The survey found that:
- The over estimation was more pronounced amongst men, with 81% giving themselves a positive rating, while 77% of women did the same.
- More than 90% (92%) of respondents admitted to eating too few vegetables, 34% acknowledged drinking more than the recommended number of standard drinks every month, and less than one in three are at a healthy weight.
- Well over half of respondents living in capital cities are obese (58%) and the situation is even more critical outside of capital cities, with 68% of residents reporting as being obese.
- One in seven Australians (15%) are likely to have experienced mental illness, such as depression or anxiety over the past three months, with the number climbing to almost one in four (23%) in the ACT.
Download the Australian Health Indicators Survey Final Report Here
This article has been edited and was originally published in February 2021 by Members Health Fund Alliance, ‘Health Self-Perceptions? We’re Dreamin’!’
Members Health is the peak industry body for Doctors' Health Fund and 25 other health funds that are not-for-profit or part of a member-owned group, regional or community based.
