Those who lived through natural disasters such as floods and cyclones often reevaluate priorities. But it can affect them in a way that Australians who lived through severe cyclones were almost not interested.
Ours Research show They are more likely to take out personal health insurance.
What is so surprising is that serious cyclones have a greater impact on the absorption of personal health insurance. portion Government initiative Designed to improve the cover.
What we did
Many people take out some types of insurance and try to protect themselves from the financial effects of natural disasters. But so far, most of the research has focused on how disasters encourage people to buy. Home or property insurance. So we have looked at the effects of Cyclones on personal health insurance.
We have used more than 20 years of data from the nation’s representatives. Australian furniture, income and labor mechanics (Hilda) Survey. The annual survey, which began in 2001, followed the lives of more than 17,000 people.
Then, the survey data matched more than 100 past records. Cyclone crossing Australia During the same period.
We compared the health insurance status of the same person before and after the cyclone.
In the Hilda survey, there was good information about other aspects of people’s lives, so we can be convinced that we are a cyclone (not other factors) that affected the decision to receive personal health insurance.
What did we find?
The most severe cyclone -category 5 cyclones with wind speed More than 200km per hour -This has had a clear influence on the decision of those who want to buy personal health insurance.
for example, Cyclone Debbie (2017 category 4 cyclones) did not lead to a noticeable change. But the effect was different Cyclone In 2011, the strong category 5 cyclones that hit northern Queensland. The people in the regions affected by this more severe cyclone were much more likely to bring health insurance next year for those who live in an unprecedented area.
Evan Schwarzen/AAP
The increase in the absorption of private health insurance was especially powerful for young people, high -out countries and people who live in areas where the coastal or cyclones are likely to occur.
The more you live in the eye of the cyclone, the stronger the effect. Those who were 100-200 km away were about 3 % more likely to receive health insurance than those who were not affected. However, for people within 40 km, the increase has increased to more than 5 %.
How important is this?
To this end, the greatest observation effect of major cyclones on the absorption of private health insurance can be stronger than the national policy to encourage people to join.
One example is: Medicare Levy additional feePeople with high income can avoid if they have personal health insurance. This additional fee has been absorbed by personal health insurance. 2.4 % point Among the single high income income.
The other is Lifetime health cover Loading. People can avoid this additional loading by buying and maintaining personal health insurance in the early days of life. This policy has almost increased the scope of application. 1-4 % point.
Why do people buy health insurance?
People who are hit by cyclones are likely to report Damage to their house. And in other tasks we showed home damage Low people’s control The result of life. You can also damage your housing even after natural disasters. Make people more worried About their health and safety.
These stresses allow people to take the same protection as they have personal health insurance.
we Also found Cyclones make people feel safe and healthy because they harm people’s psychological welfare regardless of whether the house is damaged. This can also affect insurance decisions.
In total, our findings suggest that people are emotional and practical confusion, especially home damage and psychological stress that people need to re -evaluate their vulnerability and seek protection.
People can also take out personal health insurance to be protected from future health costs in the next big cyclone. Housing insurance purchase.
What can we learn from this?
Our findings have a policy impact. After severe cyclones, people can get personal health insurance to cope with stress and uncertainty. Understanding this can help you form a better disaster response policy.
We also found that people with high income are more likely to receive personal health insurance after cyclones. Therefore, target policies, such as personal health subsidies or access to health care after disasters, can help prevent vulnerable population from leaving a vulnerable population.
