A study conducted by Cigna across 13 global markets finds that uncertainty about health insurance, long waiting times and cost can make it harder for people to act on their health.
People want to take charge of their health, but many do not feel confident making health care decisions or knowing where to turn to get the care they need. According to the Cigna Healthcare International Health Study 2026, 93% of respondents recognize the importance of taking an active role in their health care, yet fewer than two in five respondents feel confident making important health insurance decisions.
The study drew on responses from 12,000 people across 13 markets and points to a gap between wanting to act and feeling able to do so. Uncertainty about health insurance can make it harder to know where to start, while long waiting times and cost uncertainty can create additional barriers to accessing care. The findings pointed to an opportunity to make health care easier to understand and navigate, with clearer information, more personalised support and better access to appropriate care.
The motivation is clear: 93% of respondents globally say taking an active role in health care is the most important action for managing their health, and 88% report taking steps to prevent or minimise health problems.
Confidence can help turn intention into action
Health insurance can provide important support when people need care, but knowing how to use coverage and where to turn for help remains a challenge for many people navigating complex health care systems.
The study added that only 38% of respondents say they know how to find out what their plan does and does not cover, and the same proportion feel able to choose the plan that best suits them.
Just 36% of respondents know what questions to ask when choosing a plan or trying to understand their coverage, while 34% say they understand health insurance terms. Across these decisions, fewer than two in five feel confident.
Cigna Healthcare surveyed 12,000 respondents in 13 markets – the US, UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Kenya, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, and the Hong Kong SAR in July 2026, in collaboration with YouGov – a global public opinion and data company. The nationally representative online survey included 1,000 or more adults aged 18 and older in the US, UK, Spain, Germany, UAE, Singapore, Japan, and the Hong Kong SAR, and 500 or more adults in Kenya, Belgium, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. The study began in 2015.