Pfizer health index 2014

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX
Recession Pension
Cost of living
Attitudes
Looking forward
Medical Card
Behaviour
Entitlements
Spending less
Private
Looking ahead
Older people
Happiness
Work
Health
Education
Budgets
Families
Impact
Disposable income
Welfare
Future
Hospital
Austerity
Mental health
Smoking
Hospital beds
Universal healthcare
Unemployment
Access
Health insurance
Cutbacks
Prioritising spend
Public
Luxuries
Disability
GP
Doctor
Funding
Illness
Exercise
Health screening
Prescriptions
Job security Stress
Medicine

1
INTRODUCTION THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX
ii
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
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Yours sincerely,
Paul Reid
Managing Director
Pfizer Healthcare Ireland

2
3
IMPACT OF
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AUSTERITY MEASURES
IMPACT OF RECESSION ON PERSONAL HEALTH
Having questioned people in detail about their current health status and perceptions, respondents were
asked whether they felt the recession has had a negative impact on their personal health or not.
Almost 3 in 10 adults indicate that the recession has had an impact on their personal health. Those who
were more likely to have experienced some form of impact are aged between 35 and 64 years old, and
are more likely to be from lower socio-economic groups.
Do you think the recession has had a negative impact on your own
personal health or not?
Health Status
While the pattern is suggestive of a greater recessionary impact in middle age and lower socio-economic
groups, it is still important to acknowledge that a quarter of adults from higher socio-economic groups
believe that they have equally experienced an impact on their health due to the recession.
This pattern is not dissimilar from the distribution of recession-related impact generally. In this instance
the impact of the recession on health is not any higher in those over 65 years of age.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A number of encouraging shifts are apparent from the 2014 Pfizer Health Index data. Although visits
to doctors for medical treatment may have reduced, there is evidence that the general health status
of Irish adults is reasonably resilient, and certain indicators in relation to health behaviour are very
encouraging too. Most notably, the number of people smoking is at an all-time low with 25% of adults
(aged 16 years plus) currently smoking, down significantly from 33% in 2012.
There is a substantial rise in interest in taking exercise, with a claimed ten percentage point growth in
the numbers intent on becoming more active in the next three months (from 25% to 35% since 2011.)
Equally, there is much greater focus on the need for weight loss and the adoption of a more balanced
diet. The stated commitment to do these things is more apparent amongst those with poorer health
status overall, and the proportion in poor health who aim to give up smoking stands at 18%, relative to
9% for the population at large, or 7% among those in good health.
There remains significant enthusiasm for the introduction of free universal healthcare access, which
remains a commitment of the Government to be introduced through a system of universal health
insurance by 2019.
The impact of the recession on the general health of the Irish population is substantial and 28% are of
the view that their health was detrimentally affected by it. The greatest impact seen is between the ages
of 35 and 64, which would tie in with other data demonstrating that those in the ‘family life stage’ have
experienced more negative implications during the course of the recession.
Relatedly, the priorities of many now revolve around ensuring that families with children are treated
fairly, and most would prioritise health and social welfare initiatives aimed at this group. When asked to
decide the order in which austerity-related measures should be addressed, the majority would prioritise
the reversal of healthcare related cuts. Among these, changes which would be beneficial to families with
young children should be implemented first. While this may be reflective of the current dialogue around
the provision of free healthcare to children aged five and under, it is clear that there is substantial
support for this initiative, with 76% considering it worthy of merit and few people against the proposal.
Impact of recession on personal health
Base: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
Yes, it has impacted my health No, it has not impacted
Male
%
Female
%
U25
%
2534
%
3549
%
5064
%
65+
%
ABC1
%
C2
%
F%
All
Adults
%
DE
%
28
72
Urban
%
Rural
%
Good
%
Average
%
Poor
%
27
73
28
72
14
26 33 33
25
86
74
67 67
75
23 25
37
21
77 75
63
79
28
72
27
73
18
28
49
82
72
51

Health 53 28 12
24 27 24
14 30 28
7 12 22
4
5
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
Thinking back upon the recent austerity budget/years, which cutbacks
have had the greatest impact on people (or society?) in your view?
17
Ranking the impact of cutbacks by demographics
Base: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
For those over 35 years of age, the perceived impact of healthcare related cuts is more evident, whereas
the impact of social welfare and education-related cuts is more apparent among those under the age
of 25.
There is limited focus on the perceived impact of changes to the State pension until respondents reach
the age of 65, with 1 in 6 pensioners believing that it is the primary cause for concern among them.
Among older adults, health remains the number one issue.
RANKING THE IMPACT OF CUTBACKS
The research focused on cutbacks that have been made in the context of recent austerity budgets, in an
effort to determine which have had the greatest impact on people generally. Interviewees were asked to
indicate the areas which they felt had experienced the greatest decline, with the choice of nominating
education, health, transport, social welfare and the State pension.
Thinking back upon the recent austerity budget/years, which cutbacks
have had the greatest impact on people (or society?) in your view?
Which second? And third?
Ranking the impact of cutbacks
Base: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
Greatest % Second % Third %
2 3 13
Social Welfare
(dole, disability,
child allowance)
Education
State pension
Transport
More than half nominated health as the area in which cutbacks have had the greatest impact. Health
was mentioned first, second or third by more than 9 in 10.
Cuts to social welfare, whether dole, disability or child allowance, have had greatest impact for 24%, and
were mentioned in the top three by three out of every four people. Cuts to education were less likely to
be mentioned first, but are in the top three categories in terms of perceived impact for 72%.
The perceived impact of cuts to the State pension or indeed to transport, seem to be considered more
minimally. Health, social welfare and education predominate in the public consciousness.
TOTAL SEX AGE SOCIAL CLASS
Male Female U25 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+ ABC1 C2 DE F
Base: 1004 475 529 145 190 285 229 155 444 221 263 76
% % % % % % % % % % % %
Health 53 54 52 35 49 57 60 61 52 58 47 67
Social Welfare (dole, disability,
24 23 25 29 27 23 22 20 19 34 13
child allowance)
Education 14 14 15 27 18 14 10 4 18 15 10 10
State Pension 7 7 8 5 5 6 5 17 6 7 7 10
Transport 2 3 1 4
2 1 2 1 3 1 2 -

Families with
young children 36 36 72
16 31 47
10 26 36
12 19
31
23 31
16 25
5 19 24
6
Base: 1,004 475 529 145 190 285 229 155 444 221 263 76 276 728
7
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
Which of these groups do you feel was hit hardest by austerity
budgets/measures?
Impact of austerity by demographics
Base: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
SEX AGE SOCIAL CLASS
Total Male Female U25 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+ ABC1 C2 F
RECESSION
HEALTH IMPACT
Urban Rural
DE
% % % % % % % % % % % % %
Families with young children
Older people
Young people
Families
Middle class
Lower socio-economic class
%
36 38 34 32 39 44 28 33 34 36 41 34 37
37
18
16 14 17 15 13 9 17 29 15 15 12 21 13
14
12 11 14 20 16 10 7 11 12 12 7 13 12
11
10 10 10 12 9 10 10 10 8 12 9 12 9
3
9 9 9 4 7 10 14 8 13 9 11 6 10
8
8 7 8 7 6 9 11 4 8 8 6 7 8
Middle aged people 5 6 3 1 5 5 7 2 5 3 5 3 5 4
Married people 1 1 2 1 – 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1
Upper class * * * 1 – – * – * – – – 0 0
Single people * – 1 3 – * – – 1 * – – 1 0
Don’t know 3 4 2 4 4 2 3 * 2 3 2 9 – 4
Looking at responses by gender, age and social class magnifies the perception that the impact on
families with young children is sensed more by those aged between 35 and 49, essentially the core
family life stage.
Older adults were the second most likely to have been nominated as the key casualty of austerity budgets,
and this is particularly true when we isolate the responses of adults over the age of 65. However, even
among this group, families with young children still tended to be mentioned ahead of older people. Not
surprisingly, younger people were disproportionately more likely to be mentioned by those under the
age of 25.
IMPACT OF AUSTERITY
Respondents were asked to indicate the groups they felt have been hardest hit by austerity budgets and
measures in recent years. They were given the choice of nominating families with young children, older
people, young people, singles and so on. In effect, they could nominate age groups, life stage groups
and groups of different socio-economic backgrounds.
Which, of these groups do you feel was hit hardest by austerity
budgets/measures?
Impact of austerity
Base: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
Hit hardest % Some impact % Total %
8
9
1 12 13
9 9
1 1
3 11 14
Older people
Families
Young people
Lower socio-economic
class
Middle class
Middle aged people
Married people
Single people
Upper class
Don’t know
Almost 72% of respondents believe that families with young children have been impacted by austerity
budgets, with more than a third suggesting that they have in fact been the hardest hit. As such, they
were twice as likely to be nominated as the hardest hit group than any other listed. 16% felt older
people were impacted most by austerity measures whilst 12% felt that young people were hardest hit.
The findings suggest a consensus that the primary difference in impact is related to life stage and there
appears to be broad acceptance that the impact has been widely felt, albeit most particularly so by
those with younger children.

Personal impact of recession: Medium term shifts (2009 & 2014)
Base: 1004 adults aged 16+, 3, 551,000
8
9
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
16% of the sample suggest that at some stage since the start of the recession they have lost a job, while
11% indicate that their partner has lost their job since the recession started. While these figures have
risen since 2009, they have started to fall back since the question was asked in the 2013 Pfizer Health
Index.
Almost 1 in 10 adults in Ireland suggest that they have stopped paying for private medical insurance
since the start of the recession, and this represents about a fifth of the (previous) market for private
health insurance.
7% of adults indicate that they have stopped using a car, or taken a car off the road, which represents
about 1 in 10 Irish motorists. In addition, almost a third of respondents indicate they have changed
utility suppliers since the start of the recession.
34%
43%
49%
43%
40%
In the analysis of the data, the figures relating to job loss, reduction in hours worked and reduction
in income is cumulated and the composite figure is used as a measure of fundamental recessionary
impact. The proportion that experienced a fundamental impact was as high as 49% in 2011 but has
reduced to 40% by 2014. The most severe impact is noted by adults between the ages of 35 and 50,
but there has been an improvement in what we describe as fundamental impact between the ages of
25 and 34. This reinforces the suggestion that the recession has hardest hit those in the core family life
stage, and particularly those with young children. Those who are pre-family or post-family are less likely
to have experienced a fundamental impact.
CHANGES THAT HAVE COME ABOUT
BECAUSE OF THE RECESSION
Respondents were asked to indicate the cutbacks or changes they had made in their own lives since the
start of the recession, mirroring a question that has been asked in the previous four Health Index reports.
Which of the following has happened to you or to your immediate
family as a result of this current recession?
Spending less on luxuries
Avoid making big purchases
Finding it much harder to make ends meet
Going out/socialising less
Grocery shopping in cheaper shops now
Not booking overseas holidays
Not booking any holidays
Changed utility suppliers
Difficulties making loan or mortgage payments
Self: Reduced salary at work
Partner: Reduced salary at work
Personally lost job
Giving up gym or club memberships
Self: Reduced hours at work
Queried cost of medicines with GP/pharmacist
Cutting down on kids afterschool/
extra curricular/lessons
Asked GP/pharmacist to prescribe cheaper medicines
Partner: Reduced hours at work
Partner has lost job
Stopped paying for private medical insurance
Stopped using car/car off the road
70
78
66
74
48
69
45
69
45
60
32
48
31
47
32
18
31
16
22
10
18
7
16
8
16
13
14
14
7
14
14
7
12
3
11
9
7
%
2009 2014
The broad pattern of response remains the same year on year, with most suggesting that they are
not buying luxuries and that they are avoiding buying bigger items. Almost 7 in 10 suggested they are
finding it harder to make ends meet and a similar proportion say that they are going out or socialising
less than they had been before. In both of these regards, the proportions agreeing have substantially
risen since 2009, constituting two of the most significant changes registered over the past five years.
There has also been quite a sizeable growth in the number suggesting that they are neither booking
holidays nor booking overseas holidays, with both levels having risen from roughly a third to a half over
the past five years.
Fundamental Recession Impact
Respondent or partner
has had salary or hours
reduced or lost job
(1,137,000)
U25 22% 25-34 46% 35-49 61% 50-64 40% 65+ 10%
2009 2010 2011 2013
2014

10
11
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
PRIORITISING GOVERNMENT SPENDING
Respondents were asked to indicate how they feel spending and investment should be prioritised as the
country emerges from austerity/recession.
As we now emerge from austerity, I would like you to rank in order
of your priority where you feel that money/investment should be
prioritised going forward? Rank 1st/2nd/3rd
Prioritisation of spend
Base: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
Greatest % Second % Third %
Health 51 34 15
21 30 49
28 36 36
Social Welfare
(dole, disability,
child allowance)
Education
More than half of respondents feel that the greatest focus needs to be placed on investment in health,
and it is voted first or second by 85% of the population. It surpasses all other categories, with education
tending to be placed in second place overall, and social welfare third. Of the three choices, social welfare,
(encompassing dole, disability and child allowance) was ranked third by almost half of the sample.
Thinking about your current level of disposable income, can you see it
improving in 2014 or not?
Disposable income
% in agreement
Male 24%
Female 15%
U25 28%
25-34 26%
25-49 21%
50-64 12%
65+ 8%
ABC1 26%
C2DE 15%
Urban 20%
Rural 18%
81
19
Yes
No
When asked whether people feel their current level of disposable income is likely to improve in 2014 or
not, almost 1 in 5 responded that they felt it would. This suggests that the vast majority of Irish adults
do not believe there will be an improvement in their personal situation in 2014. An improvement in
disposable income is more evident in men and particularly so in adults under the age of 35. The view
that income is likely to improve in the year ahead is reflected more by higher socio-economic than lower
socio-economic groups. Older adults were less inclined to agree that their current level of disposable
income is likely to improve in 2014.

Prioritisation of spend (first choice) by demographics
Base: 1004 Adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
Base: 263
12
13
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
As a follow-on question, participants were asked which groups should be first to get greater health
benefits. Respondents were presented with the following options: married people with families, older
people, single people with young children, and students.
Of the following groups, who do you feel should be first to get greater
health benefits (such as medical cards)?
Prioritisation of health benefits by demographic
Base: 1,004 adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
Total
1004
%
Male
475
%
Female
529
%
U25
145
%
25-34
190
%
35-49
285
%
50-64
229
%
65+
155
%
Married people
with families
Older people
Single people with
young children
Students
Other
Don’t know
ABC1
444
%
C2
221
%
DE
263
%
F
76
%
Yes
276
%
No
628
%
GENDER AGE SOCIAL CLASS
RECESSION
HEALTH IMPACT
45
31
17
3
22
50
31
14
3
12
41
32
20
4
22
32
27
24
11
6
47
27
22
2
12
47
30
16
2
31
49
33
12
3
21
45
41
91
12
45
30
16
4
32
44
36
12
3
23
44
30
23
21
52
30
10
1
16
17
46
33
2
11
16
45
31
4
23
Married people with families attracted highest support, followed by older people then single people with
young children.
There is much greater support for married people with families between the ages of 25 and 64, while
almost a quarter of adults under the age of 35 would choose to prioritise the needs of single people
with young children.
It is among the group over 65 years of age that a preference for older adults emerges, but again,
registering somewhat lower than the level of preference for married people with families.
Results differ somewhat by age group and social class, with a focus on health more pronounced over the
age of 35 and being relegated to second place, after education, by those under the age of 25.
SEX AGE SOCIAL CLASS
Total
Health
Education
Social welfare (dole, disability,
child allowance)
1,004
%
51
28
21
Male
475
%
51
29
20
Female
529
%
51
27
22
U25
145
%
37
44
20
25-34
190
%
50
27
23
35-49
285
%
54
27
19
50-64
229
%
55
23
21
65+
155
%
54
21
25
ABC1
444
%
52
33
16
C2
221
%
53
28
19
F
76
%
61
19
20
DE
%
46
23
31
Education is prioritised only among those under 25. Slightly higher focus is placed on social welfare
among those from lower socio-economic groups and those aged over 65 years.
Middle class and younger adults are more likely to favour education as a key priority, but across all social
grades, health is prioritised ahead of education or social welfare.

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX FUNDING OF
HEALTHCARE
15
CHILDREN IN
HOUSEHOLD
14
IMPACT OF
AUSTERITY MEASURES
HEALTHCARE FUNDING
Since 2010 the proportion of adults holding private medical insurance has declined from 44% of the
population to 33% today. The rate of decline was more pronounced between 2010 and 2012, but has
slowed in recent years.
Which of the following descriptions apply to you - I have a medical
card, I have private medical insurance, I have neither medical card nor
private insurance?
Funding Medical Care
Base: All Adults aged 16+, 1,003 / 3,551,000
2010
2011
2012
Private
Medical
Insurance 2013
2014
44%
40%
35%
34%
33%
Medical
Card
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
36%
41%
44%
41%
39%
Neither PMI
nor Medical
Card
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
25%
23%
25%
27%
31%
1,539,000
1,419,000
1,250,000
1,220,000
1,175,000
1,255,000
1,470,000
1,573,000
1,474,000
1,376,000
868,000
842,000
968,000
947,000
1,105,000
Over the same time period, the number of people with medical cards had climbed to a high of 44%
in 2012, but has since retracted to 39% of the population in 2014.
As numbers with both private cover and medical cards has fallen, we see a growth in the number of
the people who have neither private insurance nor a medical card. This group constituted only 23%
of adults in 2011 but it has risen to 31% today.
Continuing in the context of families and children, respondents were asked their opinion on the proposal
to extend GP visit cards to all children aged 5 years or under.
Would you personally be in favour of or opposed to a proposal
to extend GP visit cards to all children aged five years or under
(i.e.:1 to 5 inclusive)?
GP care to children 5 and under
Base: 1,004 adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
Total
1004
%
Male
475
%
Female
529
%
U25
145
%
25-34
190
%
35-49
285
%
50-64
229
%
65+
155
%
Strongly in favour
In favour
Neither in favour
nor against
Against
Strongly against
ABC1
444
%
C2
221
%
DE
263
%
F
76
%
Yes
276
%
No
728
%
GENDER AGE SOCIAL CLASS
RECESSION
HEALTH IMPACT
47
29
13
9
3
44
30
14
9
3
49
28
11
9
3
38
33
14
11
5
49
30
16
3
2
57
27
9
6
2
57
24
11
6
3
33
33
14
14
6
47
26
12
11
3
46
33
14
4
3
50
27
10
4
30
35
20
12
3
50
23
13
10
4
45
31
12
8
3
Yes
390
%
No
614
%
60
23
10
6
2
29
33
16
17
4
9
Almost half suggest that they are strongly in favour of this proposal, with as many as three quarters
broadly in favour. Opposition to the idea registers no higher than 12%, so the margin of preference is
of the order of 6:1.
Support for the proposal is much stronger among parents of young children and among those aged
between 25 and 50. A majority at each age group is in support of the proposal, although a third of over
65 year olds are opposed to the proposal or undecided.

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX ILLNESS EXPERIENCE
17
FUNDING OF THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX
HEALTHCARE
Health funding by age
Base: All Adults aged 16+, 1,004 / 3,551,000
Neither PMI nor medical card Private medical insurance Have medical card
20%
34%
46%
20%
36%
33% 35%
33%
20%
46%
36%
7%
43%
62%
U25 25 - 34 35 - 49 50 - 64 65 - 70
16
Looking at cumulated data over eight years we are able to examine disease incidence based on a sample
of 8,174 respondents.
Do you suffer from any of the following conditions?
8 years consolidated data
Approximately 4 in 10 adults claim to have one of a number of significant medical conditions. The
incidence of most conditions rises substantially with age, with a majority experiencing one or more
conditions over the age of 50. Illness experience is much less prevalent in those aged under 50.
The 2014 survey illustrates that 11% of the adult population experience high or low blood pressure, with
arthritis experienced by 10% and high cholesterol by 9%.
46%
Almost half of adults up to the age of 35 indicate that they have neither a medical card nor private
medical insurance. The likelihood of holding private medical cover grows from a fifth to more than a
third between 35 and 49 and extends to almost a half (46%) between the ages of 50 and 64.
Conditions personally experienced: 2007 to 2014 combined
Base: All Aged 16+, 8,174 / 3,551,000
402,000
362,000
306,000
210,000
143,000
144,000
146,000
139,000
122,000
87,000
66,000
46,000
20,000
U25
16
1
1
*
9
3
1
*
*
1
*
*
*
*
25-34
19
2
2
1
6
3
2
1
1
3
*
*
1
1
35-49
30
6
4
6
5
4
4
2
3
5
1
1
1
1
50-64
57
21
17
17
5
5
7
7
6
4
4
3
2
1
65+
80
34
36
22
4
4
7
15
12
3
10
5
1
-
Any condition 38%
11%
9%
6%
4%
High/Low Blood Pressure
Arthritis
High Cholesterol
Asthma
Infections
(chest, urinary, ear, throat)
Chronic pain (i.e. head/back)
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Depression
Osteoporosis
Cancer
Obesity
Other mental illness
10%
4%
4%
4%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%

ILLNESS EXPERIENCE THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX
HEALTH INTENTIONS
19
Illness severity
Base: All Respondents 8,174 / 3,551,000
18
HEALTH INTENTIONS
Respondents were asked about their intention to make positive health changes in the subsequent three
months.
Which of the following, if any, do you think you are likely to do in the
next three months?
Short term* health intentions
Base: 1004 adults aged 16+, 3, 551,000
The proportion indicating that they are prepared to make any change in their life to be healthier continues
to rise. Three categories in particular have grown over the past three years; with a ten percentage point
growth in the number of adults intending to be active and take more exercise, 4% more intending to
lose weight, and a similar number hoping to adopt a more balanced diet. Indeed, these are three of
the most prevalent responses, with becoming active and taking more exercise establishing a strong first
place over the past three years.
Would you consider (your condition) to be severe, moderate, mild or of
no effect to you at all?
Severe Moderate Mild No effect Don’t know
8 years
consolidated
data
46
40
13
34
26
39
32
2
1 1
Severe
Moderate
Mild
No effect
Don’t know
24
43
29
4
18
32
35
13
17
41
31
9
1 1
16
49
33
2
16
46
32
6
1
15
41
40
4
11
36
49
3
9
43
42
6
Chronic
Pain
(356)
%
Cancer
(167)
%
Arthritis
(911)
%
Infections
(339)
%
Osteoporosis
(215)
%
Asthma
(469)
%
Depression
(283)
%
Diabetes
(335)
%
Heart
Disease
(367)
%
Other
mental
illness
(40*)
%
High/Low
Blood
Pressure
(1000)
%
High
Cholesterol
(762)
%
29
25
11
7
46
39
7
*Small base size
The cumulated data on illness experience shows that perceived severity differs substantially by condition.
Those experiencing chronic pain are more likely to regard the condition as more severe, whereas at the
other end of the scale, cholesterol, blood pressure and asthma are all broadly seen as much less severe,
with many considering them to be ‘mild’ or of ‘limited effect’.
3 Year
Change
+10%
+1%
+4%
+4%
+2%
+1%
+2%
0%
+1%
+1%
2011 2013 2014
Being active/taking more exercise
Be less stressed
Try to lose weight
Adopt a more balanced diet
Get more sleep
Give up smoking
Become better informed about health
Reduce alcohol intake
Work less
Visit the doctor more often
25
32
35
20
21
19
14
17
18
12
16
16
12
16
14
8
6
9
5
8
7
444
3
3
4
2
4
%
3
*Likely to do in the next 3 months

THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX HEALTH ASSESSMENT
6 out of 10 8
21
Base: 1004 329 509 166 276 728
20
HEALTH INTENTIONS
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Since the introduction of the Pfizer Health Index, respondents have been asked to assess their own
personal health out of ten, where 10 is excellent health and 1 is very poor health.
If you were to assess your own personal health out of 10, where 10
is excellent health and 1 is very poor health, how would you rate
yourself?
2005
%
2007
%
2008
%
2009
%
2010
%
10 out of 10
9 out of 10
8 out of 10
7 out of 10
5 out of 10
1-4 out of 10
2011
%
2012
%
2013
%
2014
%
17
18
26
19
10
6
3
18
19
27
19
9
42
15
16
29
21
11
53
15
20
29
19
9
53
13
16
30
20
12
6
3
11
18
30
20
10
7
31
20
20
25
18
8
53
9
16
30
22
11
8
3
14
19
30
20
6
1
1 1 1 1 1
Don’t know
The vast majority give themselves a very positive mark, with 2 out of 3 assessing themselves as 8 out
of 10 or better. The proportion scoring their health this high has lifted over the course of the survey,
although it fluctuates from year to year.
The average volunteered score, at 7.9 out of 10 is very high, and it should be noted that just 1 in 6 score
their own health as below 7 out of 10.
Those that state being in average or poor health report to intend to be more active in the short term, and
equally have an intention to be less stressed and lose weight. Those who are in poor health are twice as
likely as the rest of the population to want to give up smoking in the short term.
We noted earlier that roughly 28% of the population felt that the recession had in some way negatively
impacted their health. Looking at health intentions of people that felt the recession had in some way
negatively impacted their health, we see that they are considerably more likely to want to adopt an
exercise regime and to want to become less stressed. Weight reduction is also a greater need for them.
1 in 8 claim that they would like to give up smoking in the short term, in comparison with just 1 in 12 of
those for whom the recession has not had a substantial health impact.
.
TOTAL PERSONAL HEALTH RECESSION HEALTH IMPACT
Good Average Poor Has Impacted Not Impacted
% % % % % %
Be active / take more exercise
Be less stressed
Try to lose weight
Adopt a more balanced diet
Get more sleep
Give up smoking
35 27 38 43 39 34
21 16 22 27 28 19
18 7 21 31 22 16
16 12 19 16 16 16
14 12 16 16 15 14
9 7 8 18 12 8
Health intentions by status
Base: Adults aged 16+, 1004 /3,551,000
Become better informed about health 7 6 7 8 8 7
Reduce alcohol intake 4 1 5 6 5 3
Work less 4 3 6 1 3 4
Visit the doctor more often 3 2 2 5 5 1
Don’t know 5 6 5 7 5 6
None of these 23 33 20 12 15 26
Personal health assessment
Base: All adults aged 16+, 1,004 / 3,551,000
Mean 7.8 7.9 7.8 7.9 7.7 7.6 8.0 7.5 7.9

HEALTH ASSESSMENT THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX
TRENDS IN SMOKING
Smoking Past Week by Demographics
Female Insurance Neither
%
27
27
30
24
27
23
Personal health by demographics
Base: 1,004 adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
6 out of 10 8
6
11
7
9
8
7
6
13
9
7
9
8
9
Average 2014 7.9 8.0 7.7 8.3 8.2 8.0 7.3 7.3 8.0 8.0 7.6 7.9 7.8 8.0
Health perception is strongly a function of age but while average scores weaken over the age of 50, this
is mainly attributable to the vast majority giving themselves 7 or 8 out of 10, rather than 9 or 10 out of
10, as is more prevalent below the age of 50.
Men tend to be more positive about their own health than women, as do younger adults under the age
of 35 years.
22
ALL
ADULTS
2014
%
Male
%
Female
%
U25
%
25-34
%
35-49
%
50-64
%
65+
%
10 out of 10
9 out of 10
8 out of 10
7 out of 10
5 out of 10
14
out of 10
ABC1
%
C2
%
DE
%
F%
Urban
%
Rural
%
14
19
30
20
61
15
21
32
18
62
14
17
29
22
62
29
22
24
11
23
16
27
32
14
31
17
20
32
17
61
4
13
32
32
10
4
7
11
31
27
9
2
15
21
29
21
41
19
15
36
16
6
2
11
17
31
21
8
3
14
27
21
23
71
13
17
32
21
53
17
22
29
18
71
SMOKING
The number of respondents who smoke continues to decline year on year. In 2014, 25% of participants
reported to smoke, down significantly from 33% in 2012.
When did you last smoke cigarettes?
Incidence of Smoking
Base: 1,004 adults aged 16+, 3,551,000
Past week Past month Past year
33
1 1
33
1 1
33
28
2
1
25
1
1
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
HEALTH
Medical
Card
Private
% % %
Good Average Poor
% % %
GENDER
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
35
35
35
27
27
25
25
30
16
21
33
33
32
26
27
33
33
40
34
39
38
38
39
37
38
17
17
17
11
11
It is also noteworthy that the incidence of smoking among those who believe they are in good health
stands at just 21%, rising to 27% among those who believe themselves to be in average health, and
39% among those who believe they are in poor health.
36
36
39
23
29
HEALTH COVER
Male
%
31
31
33
25
23

PRIORITISATION OF
HEALTH THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX
Ranking of personal concerns, 2014
Base: Adults aged 16+
Greatest % Second % Third % Of concern
Health & welfare of family 30 23 15 12
10
5 7 15 27
7 8 8 20
5 4 8 18
24
If you were made Minister for Health, could you give me the order in
which you would address the following priorities? Only rate those you
feel you would want to address.
Medium term change* in prioritisation of health issues 2011-2014
Since the initiation of the Index the vast majority of adults place greatest focus on providing more
hospitals or indeed hospital beds. This remains the number one concern for most, but the introduction
into the survey of free universal healthcare, even with the need to increase taxes, has served to depress
the extent to which hospital beds are the number one priority. A fifth now give their first vote to the
introduction of free universal healthcare, the proportions scoring it first, second or third, have doubled to
38% since it was first mooted in 2011.
There is also a greater perceived need to provide more medical cards and to implement screening
programmes.
25
PRIORITISATION OF
HEALTH
THE PRIORITISATION OF HEALTH
Since the introduction of the Pfizer Health Index, a series of questions has been posed to ask the public
how they prioritise health relative to other facets such as finances and money, happiness, job security
and so on.
Thinking about the future which of the following would concern you
most? Which second? Third? And which others are of concern to you
at all?
All Vs 2013
+6
+1
+3
+3
-1
+4
+4
20 22 16 15
19 15 15
21
16 16
Personal health
Finances/money
Cost of living
Being happy
Job security
Children being successful
24
At all
80
73
70
66
54
43
35
Comparing 2014 data to that collected in 2013, we see an increase in the prioritisation of the health and
welfare of one’s family. Indeed, both personal health and family health have risen as overall priorities.
We also see much greater focus being placed on finances and money as well as on the cost of living.
First Second Third
Provide more hospital beds
Introduce free universal healthcare
(and need to increase taxes)
Provide more access to GPs
Provide more access to non GP/non-hospital services
Implement screening programmes
Reimburse the cost of medicine
Provide more medical cards
Implement public awareness campaigns
Give people tax incentives to be healthier
Tax cigarettes & alcohol more heavily
Tax food & drinks that people should consume
less of (fatty/fast)
Provide more medical cards
47 13 8
%
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
2011
2014
68
41 19 11 71
9 6 5 20
20 11 7 38
8 13 7 28
6 12 12 30
4 15 13 32
6 12 14 32
5 8 10 23
5 10 12 27
3 7 10 20
4 8 9 21
7 8 7 22
7 10 8 25
2 4 5 11
2 3 6 11
3 4 7 14
4 3 6 13
4 5 4 13
3 5 4 12
1 3 3 7
2 3 4 9
*Change from 2011-2014

SOCIAL CLASS
DEFINITIONS THE 2014 PFIZER HEALTH INDEX
METHODOLOGY
SOCIAL CLASS DEFINITIONS
The market research industry classifies respondents relative to the occupation of the Head of Household.
In other words, a working adult, still living in the parental home, will be classified relative to their parents’
classification.
A: These are professional people, very senior managers in business or commerce or top-level
26
civil servants.
B: Middle management executives in large organisations, with appropriate qualifications.
Principal officers in local government and civil service, top management or owners of small
business concerns, education and service establishments.
C1: Junior management, owners of small establishments, and all other non-manual positions.
ABC1’s: All of the above: approximately 40% of the population. Collectively ABC1’s are referred to
as middle class.
C2: All skilled manual workers and those manual workers with responsibility for other people.
C2s are approximately 22% of the population.
D: All semi-skilled and unskilled workers, apprentices and trainees to skilled workers.
E: All those entirely dependent on the state, long term, through sickness, unemployment, old
age or other reasons. Those unemployed for a period exceeding six months, casual workers
and those without regular income.
DE’s: Represents approximately 30% of the total population.
C2DE’s: 52% of the adult population and referred to as lower socio-economic.
F: A separate social grade in Ireland, referring to farmers and their dependents. This group has
contracted very severely over the past 15 years to about 7% of population, having been
over 20% at one stage.
HOW THE RESEARCH WAS UNDERTAKEN
The 2014 Pfizer Health Index was conducted as a sample survey of 1,004 adults aged 16 and over, with
interviewing undertaken on a face-to-face basis, in-home.
The purpose of the survey is to update national perceptions of health and wellbeing, using a questionnaire
which has remained broadly the same since the study was introduced nine years ago. Greater focus has
been placed on certain aspects from year-to-year and the broad topic in focus in 2014 is the recovery
from recession and the impact it has had on the national health and psyche.
The Pfizer Health Index has been conducted annually since 2005. Data on disease incidence and
experience has been cumulated across the various years, providing us with a more stable and robust
dataset, and enabling greater focus on individual diseases and conditions.
The study is a nationally representative survey of the adult population and uses quota controls to reflect
the latest census of population in terms of gender, age, region and area of residence. Standard social
class quota controls are also imposed based upon industry agreed estimates. Social class is determined
by the occupation of the Head of Household or Chief Income Earner, and the following terminologies
are used; AB, people from higher professional and managerial backgrounds; C1, those from lower middle
class backgrounds; C2, those from skilled working class backgrounds; D, those from unskilled working class
backgrounds; E, those who survive solely on State payments (and/or who don’t have a private pension)
and F, farmers and their dependants. Sampling points are chosen in proportion to population within a
predetermined regional framework, and interviewing is distributed across 63 sampling locations, which
are chosen randomly within this regional structure.
Fieldwork on the research was undertaken between 31st March and 9th April of 2014.
Interviewing is undertaken by highly trained and closely supervised members of Behaviour & Attitudes
interviewer panel, and detailed back checks on completed interviews are undertaken. The interview itself
is administered on small portable netbook computers; the questions are asked and the data entered by
the interviewer, rather than by the respondent. The data is transmitted in an encrypted format.
27

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