- A first-of-its-kind survey measures a potential antidote to the pandemic malaise engulfing many Americans: Vitality.
- The survey found that 18% of American adults had high vitality, meaning they were healthier, more likely to exercise and less likely to be obese.
- Experts believe it’s important to keep track of the role of vitality as the nation emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.
Cynthia Vitone volunteered at a theater near her hometown of Shelton, Connecticut. It was her work that gave her purpose and social interaction, until the coronavirus shut down her performances.
Although the pulse of daily life at work and home has returned to normal since the 2020 lockdowns, Vitone still feels a void and is looking for other volunteer opportunities.
“It made me feel really good to be with people, meet people and have fun,” Vitone said. “I haven’t forced myself to find something else like that. Now I’m thinking, why haven’t I done that?”
Vitone’s self-assessment comes after it participated in a first-of-its-kind survey measuring a potential antidote to the pandemic malaise engulfing many Americans. New research from CIGNA and Morning Consult attempts to measure vitality and how it influences overall health and productivity.
The survey of more than 10,000 American adults found that 18% had high vitality. Those individuals were healthier, more likely to exerciseless likely to be obese and more likely to have a primary care doctor.
The 15% of adults with low vitality had poorer diets, less sleep, and more chronic medical conditions. They are also more likely to be socially isolated, obese, depressed or anxious.
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Psychologist Richard Ryan, who has studied human vitality and motivation and helped develop the survey, believes it is an important way to track the role of vitality in the population as the nation emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. Communities and employers can learn how to help people thrive.
“You can have a big impact if you focus on this particular variable because it’s so indicative of overall well-being,” Ryan said. “Then we can really identify pathways to improve vitality.”
CIGNA, which has supported previous research on the loneliness epidemic, has committed to tracking vitality for years to come through the Evernorth Vitality Index.
CIGNA officials said Vitality values, promotes and prioritizes good health while treating illness and disease. Helping people stay healthy can help employers and communities reduce health spending, but also guide people to healthier and more productive lives.
“Harnessing the power of our individual vitality is critical to our collective future,” said Cigna Chairman and CEO David Cordani. “The past few years have clearly illustrated that health is multidimensional and we need a more comprehensive measurement tool, one that can assess how we perform at work, at home and in our communities.”
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The survey comes as studies show the US workforce is dealing with burnout, mental health and fatigue.
US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in July issued a notice on burnout crisis levels among physicians, nurses, community and public health workers. He warned that the demands of COVID-19 put healthcare workers and their families at risk of harm and pushed many “past their breaking point”.
Mental health challenges have extended beyond healthcare workers. Many Americans have struggled with work-life balance with some dedicated to “quietly quitting” or giving minimal effort at work.
Last week, Murthy released a strategy for the workforce at large. His office cited research that revealed that 76% of American workers reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition and 84% blamed workplace conditions for contributing to at least one mental health problem.
Murthy released a five point plan to encourage companies to focus on their employees and establish workplaces as “engines for mental health and wellness.”
“It will be worth it because the benefits will accrue to both workers and organizations,” Murthy said.
However, CIGNA research suggests that overall wellness extends beyond a person’s job. While people who earn more and have higher levels of education are more likely to prosper, the researchers also identified lower-earners with enviable marks of physical and mental health and strong social circles.
Low-income adults who achieved high vitality scores outperformed their wealthier counterparts on measures of choice and freedom, prioritized health, and had stronger social ties. They are also less likely to say their personal life suffers because of work, according to the survey.
Dr. David Brailer, chief health officer for CIGNA, said such results give cause for optimism about how social ties influence a person’s outlook.
“What you hear today is that there is a lot of turnover, people are very distressed about the situation with their jobs,” Brailer said. “There’s something else going on because people feel really good about themselves. A big part of it is how you feel connected to your social sphere.”
‘More loneliness, less social relationships’
The survey found wide variation between generations. Gen Z adults ages 18 to 24 had lower rates of chronic medical conditions and were less obese than older adults.
But the survey found that about 1 in 4 Gen Z adults had low vitality, and respondents revealed a lack of confidence in managing their health. About 32% of Gen Z adults had been diagnosed with or received treatment for clinical depression or anxiety compared to 21% of the general population.
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Ryan said that young adults have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and other societal changes.
“I can see that reflected in the lack of confidence they have going forward and handling conditions,” Ryan said. “I think that has really affected them. I see more loneliness, less socializing in a period of time where that’s really what you want to do in life.”
Although older people tend to have more chronic medical conditions, the survey found that adults over the age of 65 reported the greatest overall vitality. These older adults may have less stress about their finances compared to working-age adults. They also have access to Medicare, the government health insurance program for people 65 and older, which allows them to see a doctor to manage chronic medical conditions.
Men had higher vitality scores than women as young and middle-aged adults. However, women over 65 years of age had the highest vitality of all age groups.
Those findings follow Vitone, 61, who increasingly sees the importance of social interactions. She provides writing among other duties in her job with a public health department in Connecticut.
But she is still looking for other volunteer opportunities. She wants to help others and “come out of her bubble” outside of work hours to make a difference in her community and improve her overall health.
“That’s an important part of vitality: being in the world,” he said.
Ken Alltucker is on Twitter at @kalltucker, or he can be emailed at [email protected]
