Living longer but not healthier. Time to rethink chronic care

Kuala Lumpur, 8 July 2026 – New research shows the growing burden of chronic diseases, calling for more prevention, earlier intervention and shared responsibility beyond health-care systems.

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) has published The Value of Chronic Care, a new report that analyzes how well health systems are responding to the growing burden of chronic diseases across all 38 OECD countries. It suggests that outcomes aren’t mainly driven by countries’ healthcare spending. They depend more on how effectively care is organized, coordinated and delivered over time.

The research introduces an index that measures how well health-care systems are prepared to manage the rising burden of chronic disease. It suggests that outcomes aren’t mainly driven by countries’ healthcare spending. They depend more on how effectively care is organized, coordinated and delivered over time.

“People live longer, but too often with chronic conditions that affect their health, work and finances. Health-care systems must evolve to manage long-term conditions more effectively. Introducing prevention measures, intervening earlier and bridging public and private sectors can help people stay healthy, productive and financially resilient,” says Alison Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Life, Health and Bank Distribution of Zurich Insurance Group.

“From building careers and managing side hustles to keeping up with social, family and financial commitments, Malaysia’s younger generation is navigating a fast-paced lifestyle where health and financial planning can often take a back seat. As these responsibilities grow, early preparation becomes important in helping them stay protected against chronic diseases. Life insurance plays a role in supporting that resilience, helping young adults safeguard their well-being, strengthen long-term financial stability and prepare for the future with greater confidence,” adds Pauline Teoh, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad.

Adding on to the conversation, Nur Fatihah Mustafa, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Takaful Malaysia Berhad shares, “As Malaysia moves toward an ageing population, more people will deal with chronic diseases that require long-term care and support. Safeguarding health requires a collective effort that goes beyond any single stakeholder, and family takaful plays an important role through its principles of mutual assistance and shared responsibility. By caring for what matters most, people come together to help families feel supported and reassured as they navigate the financial aspects of their healthcare journeys."

Chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health issues, are often long-term challenges. More people live with these conditions for many years, which can place increasing pressure on healthcare systems, economies and people’s financial security.

At the same time, the report shows that countries with similar healthcare capacities perform very differently. Poorer outcomes are often linked to fragmented care, limited access and a lack of coordination. Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway and South Korea are among the top-performing countries. Latvia, Lithuania, Greece, Poland and Hungary are ranked lowest.

The Value of Chronic Care highlights a clear opportunity to act earlier, integrate care across the patient journey and expand responsibility beyond healthcare systems. In many markets, prevention still receives too little attention, with most spending focused on treatment rather than supporting people staying healthy. Policymakers, employers and insurers all have a role to play in shifting chronic care toward more proactive support that improves health, productivity and financial resilience over the long term.

Key findings at a glance

1) Chronic disease is shifting to long-term illness

Fewer people die early, but more live longer with chronic conditions – the main driver of lost healthy life (e.g. cancers and cardiovascular diseases, both at 21% in OECD). These are long-duration conditions that affect health, work and finances over time.

2) Outcomes depend on quality – not spending

Health system capacity is similar across some countries, but outcomes vary widely due to differences in effectiveness, coordination and access. Systems built for acute care are struggling to manage life-long conditions, even where spending is high.

3) The opportunity: earlier, integrated, shared care

Better outcomes come from prevention, coordinated care and broader responsibility across healthcare, employers and insurers. But prevention remains underfunded.

The Value of Chronic Careis based on analysis across all 38 OECD countries from 2014 to 2023 and covers more than 200 chronic conditions. It forms the second part of Zurich’s The Value of Health & Wellbeing series, following The Value of Mental Health, published in May 2026.

For more information on how Zurich Malaysia is helping Malaysians plan ahead with greater confidence and peace of mind, please visit www.zurich.com.my.