What is wellness?

And what does it mean to expats?

A lot has been written about family wellness and how to achieve it. But is the concept of wellness and achieving it the same for people from around the world? Especially if they live away from home?

We spoke to 32 families from around the world, who live abroad, to tell the stories behind the statistics and find out what factors are important to a family’s wellness when living away from home.

Origins and destinations

We spoke to expat families of different nationalities living in a variety of countries.

What’s influencing expat wellness?

Our expats said:

• Diet and fitness
• Mental health
• Mindfulness and spirituality
• Safety and security
• Family and friends
• Weather and climate
• Culture
• Quality of life
• Health

“It’s knowing that if somebody in the family was sick they would be protected” — Holton family (Brits in Spain)

“It’s feeling productive and having a social support system around you” — Sharma family (Nepalese in India)

“Wellness is peace of mind, knowing you’re taken care of, having doctors nearby and access to gyms” — Lagnado family (Brazilians in Canada)

Top 10 countries for achieving health and wellbeing*:

1. Austria
2. Taiwan
3. Finland
4. Japan
5. Israel
6. Denmark
7. Germany
8. France
9. Costa Rica
10. Spain

Bottom 10 countries for achieving health and wellbeing*:

56. Kazakhstan
57. Uganda
58. Brazil
59. Peru
60. Vietnam
61. Indonesia
62. China
63. Cambodia
64. Myanmar
65. Nigeria

*According to The Expat Insider 2017 survey report published by InterNations: www.cmsinternationsgmbh.netdna-ssl.com/cdn/file/2017-09/Expat_Insider_2017_The_InterNations_Survey.pdf

Examining the roles

Health

The best health care systems in the world are found in*:

1. Denmark
2. Sweden
3. Canada
4. UK
5. Germany
6. Netherlands
7. Australia
8. France
9. Austria
10. New Zealand

*According to USNews.com

Health care issues our survey families encountered that had the biggest influence on their wellness

• Cost of care
• Insurance information and cost
• Access to medicine and treatment
• Information about accessing health care and medications

“We’ve only had to use the doctors on a few occasions and not for anything major, but if it did come to something serious then I’d be pretty worried. I should try not to think about it” — Anonymous in Mexico.

Personal security and safety

Top 10 safest countries*:

1. Iceland
2. New Zealand
3. Portugal
4. Austria
5. Denmark
6. Czech Republic
7. Slovenia
8. Canada
9. Switzerland
10. Ireland

10 most dangerous countries**:

1. Afghanistan
2. Burkina Faso
3. Burundi
4. Central African Republic
5. Chad
6. Democratic Republic Of Congo
7. Iraq
8. Libya
9. Mali
10. Mauritania

*According to Global Peace Index
**According to The UK Foreign Office

“You have to be vigilant. We’ve had several extortion threats, which is terrifying. That’s one of the reasons we don’t want to give a family photo” — Anonymous — Mexico

Moving to a foreign country with a family or alone can be a stressful process. Many find achieving and maintaining wellness a challenge in their new home. This is why Aetna International works with companies and individuals to provide the help people need before and during their relocation — from health care, country guides, preventative care and condition management to pre-trip planning and on-going support.

About this study

What Is Wellness? Expat Family Health & Wellness Survey 2018 is an independent consumer research study into global expat views, commissioned by Aetna International and carried out by ID Insight Consulting. Interviews were conducted with 32 families by phone or Skype in August 2017. An expat is defined as an adult over the age of 18 years old who is currently living away from their country of origin or ‘home country’.

https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/about-us/explore/health-care/lifestyle-better-health/what-is-wellness-2018.html

The information included in this communication is provided for information purposes only and it is not intended to constitute professional advice or replace consultation with a qualified medical practitioner.

Notice to UK residents: In the United Kingdom, Aetna Insurance Company Limited (FRN 458505) has issued and approved this communication.

Notice to all: Please visit http://www.aetnainternational.com/ai/en/about-us/legal/regional-entities for more information, including a list of relevant entities permitted to carry on or administer insurance business in their respective jurisdictions.

Aetna does not diagnose, provide care or guarantee access to health services. Not all health services are covered, and coverage is subject to applicable laws and regulations, including economic and trade sanctions, and the terms and conditions of the relevant plan documents.

Aetna^® is a trademark of Aetna Inc. and is protected throughout the world by trademark registrations and treaties.

Source of stats:

10 safest countries — World Peace Index

www.uk.businessinsider.com/worlds-safestcountries-global-peace-index-2017-6?r=US&IR=T

10 most dangerous countries

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/The-worlds-most-dangerous-places/

Best health care systems in the world

https://www.usnews.com/news/bestcountries/rankings-index