Health and well-being in the UAE is improving despite the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study.
Health services company Cigna Corporation has published the fifth edition of its Cigna Covid-19 Global Impact Study, which highlights an improvement in the UAE’s index compared to the average around the world.
As a series of reports launched in 2020, the study aims to better understand the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on people’s health and well-being.
The last phase of the study was conducted between November 23 and December 2 2020 coincided with the Covid-19 vaccine roll out in the country. Previous versions of the study were conducted last year from January to February, in April, May to June, July to August, and in October.
According to the study, the UAE wrapped up 2020 with a strong performance on the overall Well-being Index compared to other markets, with a score of 67.4 points in December, up by 1.8 points in October. The global average was 60.9 points in December.
The survey showed improvements in the physical, family, social, financial, and work health aspects of residents as life returned to a semblance of normalcy in the UAE.
The improved scores across sectors emphasised the country’s continued resilience at the end of the year, Cigna noted.
Jerome Droesch, CEO, Cigna MEA and SEA, said: “2020 was a difficult year for the entire world, but we are pleased to see that the UAE and its residents emerged resilient at the end of the year. We observed many highs and lows during the year as people navigated the challenges, which shaped consumer behaviour.
“The majority of the country’s residents appear more aware of their health needs and are making the effort needed to manage their health better.”
He added: “The government has played a vital role in preserving the good health, positivity, and well-being of its population. The UAE’s survey results are a testament to the sustained efforts of the leadership and the business community in managing the crisis and ensuring transparency, taking care that people have access to information and healthcare even in the most exceptional circumstances.”
Jerome Droesch, CEO, Cigna MEA and SEA.
Despite the overall improvement, UAE employees indicated that they continued to experience stress, with 68 percent reported work-related stress, registering the highest stress levels since January 2020.
The prevailing always-on culture, which consistently recorded high levels of around 93 percent through 2020, has led to increased stress levels, despite 75 percent reporting a reasonable workload in December. Reassuringly, 79 percent found their stress to be manageable, Cigna added.
A majority (71 percent) reported working after hours in December, as they did in April during the lockdown phase. However, 53 percent employees reported working on weekends, registering a slight decrease in December from 64 percent recorded between June and August 2020.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic has shaped new habits and expectations at the workplace among employees, there is a continued gap in what is offered to them. According to the survey, a majority of the participants (69 percent) expect more mental health support from their employers, and 64 percent seek flexibility in work location and hours but only 37 percent are receiving it.
UAE employees indicated that they continued to experience stress, with 68 percent reported work-related stress, registering the highest stress levels since January 2020.
Unsurprisingly, health and well-being remain a continued priority for employees, with 74 percent seeking enhanced health cover in December. However, only 28 percent of employees admitted to receiving it.
Mental health support from employers showed a continued decline throughout the phases of the study. Only 29 percent of respondents claimed to receive support in December, a decline from 34 percent recorded in June and 32 percent between July and August.
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