A new nationwide study conducted  by the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance and General Re Life Corporation found 49 percent of men and 46 percent of women under the age of 45 were purchasing individual critical illness insurance policies in 2011, reports Insurance News Net.

The study used data compiled from 10 critical illness insurers, which represented 57,000 buyers between January 1 and December 31 of 2011. Critical illness insurance guarantees a lump-sum cash payment to the policyholder if they are diagnosed with a critical illness. Cancer, stroke and heart attack all fall under the critical illness umbrella.

The study also found that 18 percent of men and 17 percent of women purchasing critical illness insurance were between the ages of 25 and 34, illustrating the awareness  growing among insurance buyers.

About one million people have critical illness protection in the United States. Policyholders who currently have healthcare coverage may consider extending the terms of their plan to incorporate critical illness costs. According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 84.3  percent individuals have health insurance in Virginia.