Resilience and health of Dutch population under pressure due to persistent inflation
75% of Dutch people felt the effects of high inflation on healthy living habits last year. For instance, a third (34%) cancelled their gym subscriptions and over a quarter (27%) ate less healthily because of the rising cost of living. An increase compared to 2022, when these effects were felt by two-thirds of the Dutch population. This is according to a representative sample of the Dutch population by a.s.r. this autumn.
The survey looked at the healthy habits and resilience of the Dutch population in times of various crises at home and abroad. This showed that inflation has the most impact on Dutch people (64%). This was followed by wars (57%), costs of and access to care (51%), and the housing shortage (48%).
The survey found that the lower the resilience, the greater the negative impact on their health, and vice versa. Respondents who gave their own resilience an unsatisfactory grade, noticed the negative impact of this on their health (93%). Despite the influence that inflation in particular was found to have on healthy habits, the Dutch still rated their health with a 7.
Influence of social media small
When asked how people look for information and tips on a healthier lifestyle, a third said they use Google, their GP, a dietician and family and friends. Younger people (18-35 years) most often googled for tips or approached family and friends (about half). People over 56 were more likely to consult a GP or dietician. Contrary to popular belief, the influence of social media and influencers was small. Only one in 10 younger people consulted these for health and resilience tips, for the older groups this is even lower (3-6%).
Role of health insurer in lifestyle and resilience
The majority of respondents (six in 10) expect their health insurer to help them with a healthy lifestyle and resilience. Over three in 10 expect this in the form of health advice and being offered health programmes, a quarter through reimbursement of lifestyle coaching such as dieticians, and a smaller group (15%) in digital healthcare solutions.
‘I show resilience’ programme
Thomas Oremus, director of health insurance at a.s.r.: ‘We believe it is important that besides offering good health insurance, we help people to be more resilient in coping with unexpected setbacks in life. Of course, some things are difficult or impossible to change, but you can train your resilience and thereby positively influence your health and your feeling of happiness.’
In the survey, one in three Dutch people said they would be interested in a.s.r.’s ‘I show resilience’ programme. Mainly women (37%), young people (37%) and residents from East Netherlands (40%).
Full report is in Dutch (no translation available)
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