Around 70 percent of Australian workers say they have experienced burnout at some stage in their working lives.
This is two percent higher than the corresponding 2024 figure.
The 2026 Bupa Health Check, released today, also shows that 42 percent of people are having trouble managing their health and wellbeing, the first increase in three years.
This was despite one in three people saying their quality of life had improved over the past 12 months.
The health check is based on a survey of 2000 people conducted by Quantum Market Research in conjunction with Bupa.
It found Australian parents are increasingly turning to social media and AI-powered tools for health advice to support their physical and mental wellbeing.
This was in response to cost‑of‑living and time pressures that were making traditional care harder to access.
“Social media is the go-to for parents, who are more likely than non‑parents to trust, act on, and even spend money based on health content they view online which can lead to adverse health outcomes with no clinical oversight,” Bupa said in a statement.
“The data shows Aussies are not just scrolling past online health advice, they are acting on it including three in 10 having purchased a health product influenced by online content.
“(This highlights) the growing role platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and tools such as AI play in everyday health decisions.”
The survey found 57 percent of people say they want to lose weight. Interest in weight loss drugs continues to grow, especially amongst women in their 40s
The cost of living has become a “new theme” in the survey with one in three saying cost is impacting making healthy choices with buying fresh produce, family health activities and preventive health care topping the list.
Bupa Chief Health Officer Dr Nic Woods said the research showed people were choosing simple, everyday health habits over extreme fitness trends to maintain their health and wellbeing.
“Digital health is now firmly embedded in how we look after our health,” Dr Woods said.
“Australians aren’t swapping doctors for social media, they’re using digital platforms and tools as a first step and as an accessible, everyday support layer alongside traditional care.”
Quantum Market Research Managing Director Richard Frost said cost-of-living pressures were reshaping how Australians prioritised their health.
“People want to stay well and prevent illness, but affordability, time and access are now shaping how and whether they can act on those intentions,” Mr Frost said.
“The rise in interest in predictive and preventative healthcare shows Australians are thinking differently about health and these approaches are increasingly front of mind.
“People want to get ahead of illness, not just react to it, especially when almost three in four are concerned about developing a chronic condition.”
