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Survey Says: You're Not As Healthy As You Think

Many Arizona residents are participating in open enrollment for health insurance right now, but a new survey finds a disconnect between people’s perception of their own health and the reality of it.

The new Consumer Sentiment Survey released by UnitedHealthcare covered a range of respondents’ knowledge and opinions on various health topics such as the links between lifestyle choices and disease.

Will Shanley is a spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare. He said nearly 75 percent of people when asked whether they are healthy will respond in the affirmative, "but the reality is a third of Americans are obese and another third are overweight. So, there’s certainly this disconnect because when people look at themselves they say ‘I’m healthy. I’m doing the right thing’ but the reality is that not as many Americans really are living what they think they’re living.”

Shanley said while many people’s perceptions don’t match reality, it is also incumbent on health insurance providers to give people the tools, resources and information they need to make healthier lifestyle choices.

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Tom Maxedon was the host of KJZZ’s Weekend Edition from 2017 to 2024.