Americans report more harsh view of COVID-19

Cigna global study shows more negative reaction in country

More than other nationalities, Americans say they’re worse off because of COVID-19, according to a recent study by Cigna Corp.

Americans report an acrossthe-board decline in their well-being — physical, social, family, financial and work — due to the coronavirus. Residents of other countries, however, report a slight improvement or no change, according to the study by the Bloomfield health insurer.

Globally, survey respondents expressed mixed feelings that the pandemic will continue well into 2021, according to the study, “Cigna COVID-19 Global Impact Study: Resilience and Well-being Through the Pandemic.”

Half of those who responded say COVID-19 will not go away and will become a seasonal disease.

The report also singles out the United States, where physical scores declined, “mainly driven by a lack of sleep and regular exercise, and concerns about weight.”

Ann Asbaty, chief executive officer of Cigna Americas Global Employer Health, said mental health support cases were up55% for the insurer’s international employee assistance program, compared with the same time last year. Use of the program’s website jumped by 46%, according to the study.

The report is the third of Cigna’s COVID-19 Global Impact Study, which asked questions on the five topics that affect well-being. More than 20,000 people participated in the research in China, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and United States. Respondents were surveyed between January and August to “show the