Backed by a world-topping vaccination drive, the fear of contracting the coronavirus has declined sharply among UAE residents, a new global study said. According to the 2021 Cigna 360° Well-Being Survey, the UAE’s health and well-being outlook is stronger than in the global markets. The study showed that the fear of contracting Covid-19 among UAE residents fell from 37 per cent in December 2020 to 22 per cent in April 2021.

The UAE ranks #3 overall in the global survey that showed that UAE residents have one of the world’s most positive outlooks about their health and well-being. As the country’s vaccination programme successfully nears completion, the UAE’s well-being scores increased compared to last year. Cigna surveyed 18,043 respondents across 21 global markets for its seventh annual health and well-being survey.

The UAE, with an overall well-being score of 66.2 points, scores higher than the global average. The report said the country shows high resilience across five key indices: physical, family, social, financial, and work. This, said the report, is a likely outcome of the country’s successful efforts to manage the pandemic and an aggressive inoculation programme.

“After a tough year, it is heartening to see overall improved scores across parameters for the UAE, which undoubtedly reflects the incredible efforts of the country’s government in managing the pandemic,” said Jerome Droesch, CEO, Cigna MEA and SEA. “The survey shows a positive correlation between vaccination rates and people’s well-being across markets, where the UAE ranks highest globally,” he said.

The study shows higher well-being scores among participants with children, indicating that a close-knit family plays an integral role in providing emotional support during tough times.

(Over)Work from home?

The study showed that UAE prefers working from home, but employees are overworked. Not surprisingly, the pandemic has significantly increased the acceptance of WFH, with 41 per cent of office-based respondents preferring to work from home full-time. Another 25 per cent said they wish to work from home with access to an office when needed while 32 per cent wanted to return to the office full-time.

More women preferred WFH than men: 49 vs 37 per cent. Although the respondents appreciate the flexibility, safety and cost savings that WFH offers, they feel that it often leads to overworking. Distractions at home, longer working hours, and weaker collaboration are seen as the biggest disadvantages of WFH.

“The survey shows a positive correlation between vaccination rates and people’s well-being across markets, where the UAE ranks highest globally”

The study also highlights a decline in physical health, which returned to pre-pandemic levels as people have started returning to offices. The 2021 study reaffirms insights from the previous studies that physical health was prioritised during COVID-19.

A key outcome of WFH is overwork, with half (52 per cent) of the office-based workers noting that they worked longer hours when WFH. The top reasons cited include excessive workload (31 per cent) and high employer expectations (21 per cent). People have also complained about virtual meeting fatigue (21 per cent).

Residents are more attuned to whole health. The mindset around health has shifted with the evolution of the pandemic, with people opening up to a wider view of health inclusive of mental, physical and overall well-being across work, social and family. The priority areas are family health (81 per cent), mental health and emotional wellbeing (78 per cent), physical health (77 per cent) and financial health (77 per cent). A majority (72 per cent) of the respondents also place high importance on having access to care, such as medical advice or treatment, home environment and living conditions (72 per cent) as they work more from home, and work-life balance (73 per cent).

The pandemic has significantly increased the acceptance of work from home even as respondents felt it often leads to overworking

The doctor will now Skype you

A direct offshoot of the pandemic, telehealth has gained momentum in the UAE and is being considered by 60 per cent of the service users for general health advice, the survey said. Service users would also use it for general health checkups (43 per cent), prescription refills (51 per cent), and therapy and counselling (62 per cent).

A direct offshoot of the pandemic, telehealth has gained momentum in the UAE and is being considered by 60 per cent of the service users for general health advice

These numbers show steady growth in the acceptance of virtual health over the past year. However, an overall preference for traditional engagement prevails, as many residents would rather have face time with their regular doctor or don’t think they would receive an accurate diagnosis virtually. Nevertheless, people are recognising the benefits of telehealth, especially access to care, monitoring treatments like physical therapy online and not having to take time off work to see a doctor.