The Casual & Cautious segment, which represents 28 percent of the population, is the healthiest segment, with only 19 percent having one or more chronic conditions, and nearly the youngest segment, with a mean age of 40 years (the Shop & Save segment is slightly younger, with a mean age of 38 years). 

Consumers in this group:

• May not be insured – only 80 percent report having insurance compared to 89 percent or more in all the other segments. 
• Use the system and seeks information less than others; it appears to be waiting for the need to arise. 
• Are sensitive to the price of health services more than all other segments except Shop & Save. 
• Feel less prepared financially to deal with their future health care costs and fewer say they understand their insurance than those in the other segments.
• Lean toward preferring traditional approaches, but are inclined to rely somewhat more on themselves than doctors when making decisions. 
• Report being less compliant and satisfied than others. 
• Tend to be relatively healthy and young, are men (approximatly 55 percent), are Caucasian (nearly 75 percent), and have an annual household income of $100,000 or more (21 percent).

To learn how the Casual & Cautious 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