Australians are living longer but spending more years managing chronic illness, with mental health, musculoskeletal, and neurological conditions accounting for almost 60% of claims received by Zurich last year, according to new research from the insurer.
Zurich’s The Value of Chronic Care report found Australia ranked eighth among the 38 member countries of the OECD for overall health system effectiveness, reflecting low mortality rates and strong healthcare capacity. New Zealand is ranked 14th.
However, it found Australia ranked significantly lower when measured against the burden of morbidity, highlighting the growing challenge of people living with long-term health conditions that require ongoing treatment, support, and care.
People are living longer than ever before, but often with long-term illnesses…
The report’s authors assessed health system effectiveness against the impact of more than 200 chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological disorders.
Tim Kane, Head of Retail at Zurich, said insurers were seeing the impact of chronic conditions across the community.
“People are living longer than ever before, but often with long-term illnesses that significantly impact how they live and work, as well as their financial security,” he said.
He said the research highlighted areas where insurers and other parts of the health system could focus on prevention and early intervention programs aimed at improving health outcomes, productivity and financial resilience.
Mental health
Zurich’s analysis identified mental disorders as Australia’s largest contributor to morbidity, affecting close to one in three people.
Musculoskeletal conditions affect around one in five people, while neurological disorders affect approximately one in 10.
The leading contributor to deaths was cancer, which accounted for around two in five deaths, followed by cardiovascular diseases at around one quarter and neurological disorders at one in 10.
Zurich said the findings provided insight into the changing nature of health risks and the need for targeted approaches to prevention, early intervention and financial protection.
