Three quarters of employees cut healthcare spend: Health Shield

Cost of living pressures

Jaskeet Briah
clock • 2 min read

Three quarters (75%) of employees have cut back spending on routine healthcare, including appointments with opticians, dentists or physiotherapists, due to the cost of living, according to Health Shield Friendly Society.

The provider's Britain at Work report, which surveyed 2,000 employees, found that 48% pointed to the impact of the current cost-of-living on their ability to do their job, which increased to 71% for those aged between 18–27. Specifically, 33% of employees have cancelled check ups, such as dental appointments, to help with the cost-of-living crisis, which rose to 36% for women, and 34% of employees have skipped meals to help keep costs down. Women were also more likely to do this (36%) than men (31%). The research found that 72% of employees worried about the cost of living weekly or m...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Employee Benefits

Certua Life partners with employee benefits platform

Certua Life partners with employee benefits platform

Heka partnership

Cameron Roberts
clock 07 September 2026 • 2 min read
New multinational benefits leader for Howden Employee Benefits

New multinational benefits leader for Howden Employee Benefits

Hannah Proctor takes the role

Cameron Roberts
clock 03 September 2026 • 1 min read
Benenden Health adds at-home health testing service

Benenden Health adds at-home health testing service

Targeted testing options on specific concerns

Jaskeet Briah
clock 18 August 2026 • 1 min read