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National health scares prompt almost one in two to take action to safeguard their finances and health

  • Surge in medical check-ups: one in five now get regular health screens
  • Women significantly more likely than men to get medical check-ups more regularly

Almost half (47%) of the Irish population either have or will take action to safeguard their finances or health as a result of recent national health scares. More regular medical check-ups was found to be the most common move people have made with one in five (18%) now doing so with greater frequency.

This is according to the findings of a new survey commissioned by Peopl Insurance of 1000 adults nationwide which found that recent national health emergencies have prompted one in ten (10%) to tackle the financial issues that would arise after their death such as making a will and taking action on inheritance planning.

Paul Walsh, CEO of Peopl Insurance commented,

“National health scares such as the Covid pandemic, the Cervical Check scandal and the current hospital crisis have forced people to reevaluate their financial security and well-being, particularly in relation to their own mortality.  Prevention is better than cure and so it is perhaps unsurprising that almost one in five are now getting medical check-ups more frequently than would have been the case in the past.”

Highlights from the Peopl Insurance survey include:

  • Women (21%) are significantly more likely than men (14%) to have been prompted by recent national health scares to seek medical check-ups more often than they had done in the past.
  • A small fraction (4%) of those surveyed have taken out private health insurance following recent health scares. This number rises to over one in ten (11%) of those aged 25 – 34 though this age cohort may well be enticed to the health insurance market before the age loadings take affect at the age of 34.
  • More than one in 10 (11%) aged 45 and over have been prompted to make a will.

Mr Walsh added:

The findings emerge as health authorities here warn about the new Eris strain of Covid which is understood to be more transmissible than other Covid variants and which could put more strain on the Irish health service as the busy winter hospital season approaches.

The health scares in recent years have served as a wake-up call for many individuals to review their financial preparedness and undertake precautionary steps to enhance financial resilience during challenging times”.