Global insights: the COVID-19 response

The COVID-19 pandemic has left no aspect of the global healthcare industry untouched. Healthcare organizations are facing unprecedented challenges as developers and providers of essential products and services, as business entities, as employers, and as influential members of their communities.

The situation is evolving at a breakneck pace. COVID-19 outbreaks are continuing to strain resources, virus mutations are raising new questions, and governments and healthcare organizations worldwide are struggling with the enormous, complicated task of rolling out vaccination programs.

In this environment, healthcare leaders must have reliable information they can turn to as they make strategic decisions that affect their patients, finances, employees and communities. Since the beginning of the pandemic, PwC's Global Health Industries experts have been helping to inform the industry response.

Below are resources that provide valuable insights for leaders across the healthcare ecosystem as they navigate these challenging times.

Doctor or nurse with COVID test

Explore data from PwC's 2021 global health consumer survey

In April 2021, PwC published Global Top Health Industry Issues 2021, which focuses on four top issues that were given a shot of momentum by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that will continue to grow in strength. Our research was backed by new results from a PwC survey of 10,000 consumers across 10 territories, conducted in January 2021. See below for highlights by territory or global.

 

Explore data from PwC's 2021 global health consumer survey

Filter the data by region

Jurisdictions Global Australia Canada China Germany India Japan Singapore South Africa UK US
Have you experienced any symptoms of anxiety or depression as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes 36% 38% 43% 33% 26% 55% 8% 30% 50% 41% 40%
No 60% 58% 54% 65% 68% 42% 85% 67% 47% 55% 55%
Don't know 4% 4% 3% 2% 5% 2% 7% 4% 3% 4% 5%
Would you participate in a remotely-conducted clinical trial to help develop healthcare treatments or vaccines?
Willing 66% 63% 63% 84% 60% 87% 35% 66% 71% 71% 60%
Unwilling 23% 22% 25% 12% 27% 9% 47% 22% 21% 17% 25%
Not sure 11% 16% 12% 4% 13% 4% 18% 12% 8% 12% 15%
Of the virtual settings you have used to receive healthcare treatment, would you be willing to use these again once the pandemic risk has decreased and a COVID-19 vaccine has mass adoption?
Phone 83% 81% 82% 86% 79% 92% 71% 77% 90% 76% 80%
Text 78% 75% 71% 75% 78% 84% 80% 75% 88% 63% 70%
Email 80% 73% 83% 76% 77% 87% 78% 72% 88% 71% 82%
Mobile app 81% 71% 72% 87% 63% 86% 70% 75% 84% 75% 85%
For those hesitant to receive the vaccine, what would encourage you to get the COVID-19 vaccine sooner?
If my family and friends got the vaccine 23% 18% 23% 45% 19% 36% 18% 26% 15% 21% 18%
If there was more evidence/information available on it 57% 54% 52% 53% 51% 59% 63% 64% 74% 47% 50%
It was a requirement for something I wanted to do (e.g. travel, go to a concert etc) 32% 33% 36% 44% 30% 39% 18% 41% 27% 29% 30%
There was no cost associated 32% 28% 29% 47% 25% 29% 36% 40% 28% 21% 28%
Other 3% 3% 4% 0% 4% 2% 2% 2% 3% 3% 4%
I don't know 10% 13% 9% 3% 13% 7% 14% 5% 7% 14% 17%
Attitudes toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccine
Enthusiasts (straightaway) 45% 42% 49% 50% 43% 68% 18% 28% 40% 65% 47%
Hesitants (would get it but not as soon as it was available to them) 47% 53% 43% 46% 46% 29% 71% 66% 43% 32% 40%
Never 8% 6% 8% 4% 11% 3% 11% 6% 17% 4% 13%
Methods used to receive healthcare treatment (Before and/or during the pandemic)
Video virtual care visit (e.g., using technology to virtually see and talk to a medical professional) 14%,17% 14%,15% 11%,16% 20%,22% 7%,9% 33%,39% 3%,3% 13%,15% 7%,12% 7%,11% 22%,29%
Phone call to a medical professional 24%,29% 22%,35% 23%,40% 29%,29% 28%,24% 44%,43% 6%,7% 14%,16% 23%,25% 30%,39% 23%,27%
Texting with a medical professional 11%,12% 10%,11% 6%,7% 19%,20% 5%,5% 30%,32% 2%,2% 10%,11% 12%,14% 5%,7% 11%,11%
Emailing with a medical professional 12%,13% 11%,13% 9%,12% 16%,17% 9%,8% 26%,28% 2%,3% 11%,12% 14%,15% 8%,10% 15%,16%
Mobile app to communicate with a medical professional 14%,15% 11%,13% 7%,8% 36%,35% 5%,5% 36%,35% 3%,3% 15%,14% 11%,12% 7%,7% 13%,13%
None of the above 58%,52% 60%,46% 63%,43% 40%,40% 60%,62% 28%,23% 90%,89% 68%,63% 64%,61% 56%,47% 52%,45%
Of those who would never receive the COVID-19 vaccine, why not?
I do not believe in vaccinations 24% 19% 20% 14% 17% 23% 25% 38% 30% 19% 22%
Due to the potential cost of the vaccine 9% 2% 9% 28% 4% 7% 19% 7% 10% 0% 6%
I do not trust the vaccine will work 42% 46% 41% 19% 47% 33% 26% 50% 46% 35% 50%
I think it has been developed too fast 44% 42% 45% 11% 52% 20% 26% 50% 49% 59% 52%
Due to potential health concerns in taking the vaccine 47% 53% 49% 39% 56% 33% 48% 45% 46% 32% 45%
Due to a lack of access to receive the vaccine 5% 4% 5% 6% 3% 10% 7% 5% 5% 3% 2%
Other 9% 12% 12% 0% 13% 10% 2% 5% 10% 11% 11%
I don't know 3% 7% 2% 3% 4% 0% 7% 0% 1% 5% 1%
Willingness of those who have already used video virtual care to use it again once the pandemic risk has decreased
Respondents answering "yes" 91% 89% 84% 96% 90% 97% 86% 94% 83% 91% 86%

Contact us

Ron Chopoorian

Ron Chopoorian

US Deals Leader, Partner, PwC United States

Sujay Shetty

Sujay Shetty

Global Health Industries Advisory Leader, Partner, PwC India

Tel: +91 9867700030

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