AUSTRALIANS are suffering from a disconnect between their confidence in their ability to look after their health and the reality of rising chronic disease rates and a failure to adopt healthy habits, a large national survey has revealed.
Now in its fifth edition, the Healthylife Living Healthy Report 2026, which was released yesterday, surveyed over 1,000 Australians with the aim of understanding people's perceived ability to look after their health and where these perceptions might not match reality.
One key mismatch was that while 95% of Australians agree or strongly agree that they know how to use medications appropriately, behaviour often falls short, for example by stopping medications for chronic conditions within the first year.
The report suggested that pharmacist-led non-adherence interventions may reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
"It would be amazing to see the mass use of smart pill dispensers or other emerging technologies to increase adherence to regular medicines, to improve chronic disease management, reduce the strain on the health system and improve health outcomes," added pharmacist and nutritionist Sarah Gray, chief of health operations and innovation at Healthylife.
Another disconnect related to supplements, with 85% of people agreeing or strongly agreeing that they can choose products suited to their health, yet many lacked an understanding of the ingredients and risks.
Examples included vitamin B6 overconsumption causing peripheral neuropathy and the increased use of melatonin for sleep issues without fully understanding the risks.
The cost of health is a growing concern, with people delaying essential healthcare, including doctor visits and prescription medications, due to financial constraints.
However, there was some good news in terms of medicine affordability, with 94% of the 65 age group agreeing they could afford medical devices and medications.
Meanwhile, discretionary food serves purchased (5.7 per day) were double those of vegetables (2.9 per day), and most people (75%) do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines.
Healthylife chief health officer and accredited practising dietitian Simone Austin said: "Our data reveals a national 'blind spot,' where overconfidence, or inaccurate perceptions, a type of cognitive bias, often known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, can be masking the health challenges the nation truly faces.
"While 91 per cent of survey respondents agree or strongly agree they can implement healthy habits, the reality of their food purchasing and physical activity levels tells a different story."
Access the report HERE. KB
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