The Sick & Savvy segment, which represents 24 percent of the population, includes the highest percentage of consumers who report having one or more chronic conditions (52 percent). 

In addition, consumers in this group:

• Use the health care system more than other segments. 
• Prefer traditional approaches to care, which is similar to the Content & Compliant. 
• Take greater charge of their own care, preferring to rely on themselves more than their doctors when making care-related decisions. 
• Are more sensitive to quality differences among providers than the Content & Compliant, and also seek information, use value-added services, and want to shop for and customize their insurance to a greater extent. 
• Adhere to treatment decisions once they are made and are generally satisfied with the care they receive, which is similar to the Content & Compliant.
• Are somewhat older than the other segments, with mean ages of 48 years (Content & Compliant) and 49 years (Sick & Savvy). 
• Represent the highest percentage of Caucasians among all the segments (81 percent of the Content & Compliant, 85 percent of the Sick & Savvy).
• Tend to be women. The Sick & Savvy include a higher percentage of women (61 percent) as compared to the Content & Compliant (48 percent).

To learn how the Sick & Savy segment responded to specific survey questions, access the Executive Summary of the 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers.

Related Content:
Survey: 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers
Fact Sheet Library: Health Care Consumerism
Overview: Center for Health Solutions