There is rising global concern about health and wellness, with people all over the world seeking new ways to improve their health and wellbeing. To better understand people’s changing views on the subject, and to better cater to their preferences and needs, WISE, AS Watson Group’s research division, carried out our second Global Health Survey in November and December last year. 5,500 respondents aged 15 - 60 in 10 Asian and European markets participated in the survey to share their thoughts on a wide range of health topics.
The survey revealed the World Health Index, a ranking of the healthiest and least healthy markets across the globe. The index ranks countries according to how respondents answer questions about how healthy they feel, and how knowledgeable they are about health matters. The Netherlands emerges as the world’s healthiest market this year, followed by Singapore, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mainland China, Ukraine, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Thailand came last among the countries we surveyed.
With over 5 billion customers shopping with AS Watson every year, this is a key source of our consumer insight. The survey helps us take the pulse of the world’s consumers and guide our development of product and service solutions as we help consumers improve and protect their health and that of their families.
Dominic Lai
Group Managing Director
AS Watson Group
At AS Watson Group, we all know that a smile from a friendly face can make a real difference to people’s day. The Global Health Survey shows that happier people tend to smile more and perceive themselves as healthier than those who report lower levels of happiness. In fact, 91% of respondents say they believe that smiling and laughing have lots of health benefits, yet only 66% feel they smile enough.
Stress emerges as the main barrier to happiness and smiling, and it’s a major concern for people all over the world. Stress is one of the big three global health topics, and it’s growing at twice the rate of concern around the other two issues: diet and weight control.
Young people seem to have the right idea about looking on the bright side. Gen Z respondents smile more and are happier than the more mature groups, including Gen Y, Gen X and Boomers. And Gen Z people tend to consider themselves to be healthy.
Family and health are by far the most important priorities in people’s lives, with 87% of people saying family is a one of their biggest concerns, followed by health (84%). Wealth and love are also priorities but come much further down the list.
As they pursue a healthier lifestyle, over 80% of respondents say that good sleep, a healthy diet and regular exercise could keep them healthy, but 40% struggle to achieve all three. As a result, more and more people (60%) are interested in taking vitamins and dietary supplements to improve their health.
Customers are very concerned that the health information they get is credible. The latest survey findings show there is a reduced number of people relying on online health information. As fake news and false information flood the internet and social media, consumers are now seeking professional and trustworthy health information. This means AS Watson has a strong role to play in consumers’ management of their own health. Yet many consumers are missing the opportunity to draw on our pharmacists’ expertise. The research reveals that 61% of people still commonly see a doctor when feeling unwell, and 43% go in stores to obtain over-the-counter medication.
Currently, only 15% of people say they turn to a pharmacist for advice although pharmacists have professional training that makes them a reliable source of information and they can help alleviate pressure on public health system. With over 1,500 pharmacies around the globe, AS Watson Group is encouraging more people to seek pharmacists’ help as they are reliable, professional and easily accessible.
At AS Watson, more than 1 billion shoppers bought health products last year, and sales in the health category increased 11% year on year. Health-conscious shoppers are an especially important segment for us, as they visit our stores more than 10 times per year, and their spending was almost 80% higher than that of other shoppers. More and more people are investing in their health and wellbeing, with vitamins and supplements sales booming globally, up 12% in the past year.
The survey helps us develop the right business strategy backed by consumer insights; for example, the strategic partnership with Prenetics to pioneer DNA home testing kits which enable people to focus on prevention, not just treatment. Other cutting-edge services include Online Doctor in the UK, and health service consultations in markets including Hong Kong and Singapore. AS Watson continues to develop new products and service worldwide, to cater for customers who increasingly want more control over their health.
It’s clear that we’re currently facing a significant global health challenge. In many markets, health-related products such as surgical masks and sanitising products are in short supply, and a price surge has made them unaffordable to the underprivileged.
In response to this global challenge, AS Watson Group and its business units have teamed up to help the needy, including donating 150,000 masks to elderly people in Hong Kong, who are more vulnerable to the disease. Watsons Singapore gave care packs to help families in need. The healthcare buying team at Superdrug in the UK is also in regular communication with suppliers to secure the supply of sanitising and health products for customers’ health needs.
Our business units around the world are doing what they can to ensure a steady supply of relevant health products, to fulfil the promise to our customers with the much-needed health supplies. In the meantime, our survey reminds us of the importance of a positive outlook, and the benefits of sharing a simple yet powerful smile.
