The Pulse of Asia - The Health of Asia Barometer report shows that 79% of Filipino respondents currently use personal health technologies like smart watches, fitness trackers, and digital health platforms.
Even while embracing personal health technologies, however, Filipinos also topped the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region as patients who prefer in-person consultations (36%). The report also shows the Philippines ranking fourth among 13 Asian markets in overall health perception, with more than half of Filipinos (57%) being optimistic about their health.
Technology and healthcare
The survey – involving 5,000 people across the region during the second half of 2020 – was developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit and commissioned by Prudential Corporation Asia, Pru Life UK’s regional headquarters.
The launch of Pulse of Asia is part of Pru Life UK’s ongoing digital health dialogue Healthscape PH. The series is a timely and insightful exchange of ideas among key stakeholders from the Philippine healthcare sector. Previously, Healthscape PH discussed the potential of mobile health and telemedicine.
“We are comforted by Filipinos’ optimism about managing their health and future health outlook despite the ongoing pandemic. To help them achieve their health and wellness goals, we are leveraging digital technologies, primarily our Pulse app, to provide them with accessible and affordable health services and information. Through Pulse, we are also helping people protect, prevent and postpone diseases, enabling them to live well for longer and get the most out of life,” said Prudential Corporation Asia Chief Health Officer Andrew Wong in a press statement.
The growing consumer appetite toward the digitalization of health shows no sign of abating. Three years from now 71% of those surveyed said they will rely on technology even more heavily to improve their personal health and wellbeing.
“Health and wellness have become buzzwords as we continue to thrive and survive this pandemic. The Pulse of Asia report highlights the attitudes Asians, including Filipinos, have towards healthcare. It also gives governments and the private sector an opportunity to understand their needs and find ways to help improve their wellbeing,” said Pru Life UK SVP and Chief Customer Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga.
Digital healthcare via Pulse
For its part, Pru Life UK has made digital healthcare a reality through its Pulse app. The first-of-its-kind free-to-download mobile app provides health information so users can play an active role in managing their personal wellbeing. Pulse aims to become the new partner of Filipinos in preventing, postponing, and protecting themselves against the onset of diseases.
Pulse, with its artificial intelligence-powered features such as Healthcheck and Symptom Checker, allows its users to proactively monitor different facets of their health and gives them an overview of their habits, risks, and possible illnesses for them to make educated health decisions.
Along with its core features, the app also offers Health Awareness Content and My Communities, through which users can browse relevant health news and reminders, as well as interact with others to talk about their own health tips and achievements. Since it was launched in the Philippines in February 2020, Pulse has been downloaded more than three million times.
