Insurers should be promoting wellbeing: Sovereign

Insurers have a role to play in encouraging New Zealanders to be proactive about their physical and mental health, Sovereign’s chief officer of brand, innovation and marketing, Chris Lamers, says.

Wednesday, April 29th 2015, 5:59AM

Soverign has released the results of its Wellbeing Index, a study into how New Zealanders are faring on a personal and social level.

Developed by AUT University’s Human Potential Centre in partnership with Sovereign, the Wellbeing Index was a survey of 10,000 New Zealanders.

It reveals Kiwis aged 55-plus are doing better than those under 35 years. There are no differences between genders, ethnic groups or the size of the city people live in.

“We all have room to improve but as we age things in general get better for us,” says Grant Schofield professor of public health at AUT University, who led the research.

Schofield says those aged 55-plus are more likely to have financial security, good relationships, empty nests and a sense of purpose, which all contribute toward their increased wellbeing.

The report also reveals a lack of community connectedness is having a major impact on our wellbeing.

“Being socially connected with those close to us is very important for our health and wellbeing,” says Schofield. “Having meaningful relationships, volunteering time, getting involved in groups and, simply, knowing those who live around us is essential to our mental health and resilience. Having a support network helps us to bounce back quicker during difficult times in our lives.”

New Zealand wellbeing has not improved since the first Sovereign Wellbeing Index in 2013 and continues to languish behind many European countries.

New Zealand came 21st out of 29 countries participating in the European Social Survey. Denmark fared best and Ukraine worst.

Sovereign CEO Symon Brewis-Weston says having these insights provides an opportunity for businesses to address the wellbeing of employees.

“If you give your employees opportunities to harness their strengths they will be happier, more resilient and engaged in their work. Employers can also provide opportunities for people to build social connections within the workplace be it through groups, volunteering or encouraging a more active environment,” he said.

“Through this research we’re not only identifying problems, we’re seeking productive change for the challenges identified in our society. It gives us an action plan as individuals, communities, leaders and as a nation as a whole that can help to make New Zealand an even better and happier place to live.”

Lamers said Sovereign had a part to play in promoting wellbeing, as a large life and health insurer.

The company’s Life. Take Charge campaign, launched last year, pushed the message that people should take control of their financial, physical and mental health and was received well, he said.

Consumers wanted to be healthy and understood that it was in insurers’ interests if they claimed less often on their policies, he said.

Tags: health insurance Life insurance Sovereign