Bupa Global Data Shows Obesity and Diabetes Could Overtake Cancer as IPMI’s Next Big Cost Driver

Healthcare cost pressures are now increasingly coming from the world’s waistline – and could soon surpass cancer as a leading driver for international private medical insurance (IPMI), according to new evidence from Bupa Global. This surge is being fuelled by the rising prevalence of chronic, lifestyle-linked conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

Claims costs for obesity, diabetes and other metabolic conditions have surged 97% since 2021, according to Bupa Global’s latest Healthcare Insights Report, an analysis of tens of thousands of claims worldwide from 2021–2025.

The report highlights a sharp rise in costs related to metabolic conditions. Outpatient drug claims volumes have more than doubled (110%), with the fastest growth in treatments for diabetes, obesity and cholesterol disorders.

This surge reflects a growing reliance on pharmaceutical interventions for chronic conditions — a trend most pronounced in the Middle East, where outpatient drug costs have soared 143% since 2021, outpacing all other regions. Across Europe, outpatient claims costs are up 110%, and Asia they’ve climbed 90%, underscoring the global scale of pharmaceutical reliance.

A new era of chronic cost pressure

While cancer typically involves high-cost, short-term treatment, chronic metabolic conditions create long-tail costs — ongoing management, prescription medication, and lifestyle support that extend over decades. This evolution in claim types means that lifestyle-linked diseases are now reshaping the global IPMI risk profile.

New drugs such as GLP-1s are also contributing to this trend. While most insurers, including Bupa Global prescribe these medicines for type 2 diabetes when appropriate, their wider adoption across healthcare systems is driving higher outpatient pharmacy costs globally. Together, these factors are creating a sustained pressure point for international insurers — one that will require new models of prevention and cost management.

Dr Robin Clark, Medical Director for Bupa Global said: “We’re now seeing clearer signs of what we’ve long anticipated — global lifestyle patterns and demographic shifts are increasingly reflected in our claims data. Nearly three billion people are now overweight or obese, and that’s driving earlier and more frequent presentations of related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These conditions may well become the next major cost driver for IPMI.

“At the same time, we’re seeing real breakthroughs in how innovation is moving upstream, helping us prevent illness rather than treatment alone. One of the most promising areas is genomics, which allows us to better understand a customer’s susceptibility to certain conditions. This means we can intervene earlier and prescribe more safely and effectively, getting the right medicine to the right person first time, and potentially mitigate long-term conditions.”

Mental health: still climbing, but changing shape

Mental health remains one of the fastest-growing claim categories, with a 93% increase since 2021. This rise reflects not only growing demand, but also a deeper cultural shift in how people engage with care.

Dr Robin Clark said: “For mental health, more people are using healthcare proactively, not reactively. They’re accessing support earlier – for wellbeing and performance. That reflects growing awareness, easier digital access and a broader shift towards prevention. We’re seeing this across all our key markets.”

Digital care is now mainstream

Bupa Global’s investment in digital innovation is reshaping how customers access care, connecting physical and virtual healthcare through platforms like the MembersWorld and Blua. Digital engagement is now mainstream:

• Global Virtual Care (GP) appointments have grown 21% year on year
• 59% of customers actively use Bupa’s Blua digital platform within a 12-month period
• 83% of customers are registered for MembersWorld

Anthony Cabrelli, Managing Director for Bupa Global said, “These insights mirror the broader societal shifts we’ve been seeing on the horizon for some time – from rising obesity and diabetes to the growing demand for more proactive healthcare. Not only do they give our clients and intermediary partners the confidence to plan ahead, but they also further fuel our drive to invest further in early detection and prevention through our Blua digital healthcare and genomics screening programme. We’re also adding more flexibility to our propositions including modular cover and tiered networks – reflecting the feedback we’ve had from intermediaries and employers. It’s a challenging but exciting time for the IPMI industry.

Alongside these insights, Bupa Global continues to evolve its product portfolio to meet diverse customer needs. Its international health plans now offer greater flexibility through modular cover options, tiered hospital networks and enhanced maternity and mental health benefits. Customers can also access preventive services such as genomics screening and virtual care through Blua, ensuring comprehensive support that goes beyond treatment to proactive health management.

Bupa Global’s Healthcare Insights report is available to download: www.bupaglobal.com/en/insights-and-trends-report-2025