Tag: non-communicable diseases

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From Lifespan to Healthspan: Why Preventive Healthcare Matters Now More Than Ever

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Barbara Olsen on Pexels

South Africa is facing a major health transition. While the average life expectancy has nearly doubled over the past century, the quality of those additional years, commonly referred to as one’s ‘healthspan,’ remains under threat from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This threat calls for a renewed national focus on prevention and early intervention to address the rapidly growing challenge.

The Healthspan Imperative

According to health data presented at the 2025 Momentum Healthcare Insights Summit, NCDs such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders now account for 51% of all deaths in South Africa. In contrast, communicable diseases make up around 40% and non-natural causes (like accidents and violence) account for a mere 9%. This shift reflects a global trend, although some challenges remain; infectious diseases become more manageable, while chronic conditions associated with lifestyle and ageing take centre stage.

Damian McHugh, Chief Marketing Officer at Momentum Health

“Medical advances have added years to our lives, but not necessarily life to our years. More and more, there is growing evidence to support the fact that prevention offers the greatest potential to reduce the burden as well as cost of chronic disease and improve quality of life,” says Damian McHugh, Chief Marketing Officer at Momentum Health.

Prevention Outperforms Treatment

The summit highlighted compelling evidence that prevention is more effective than treatment for advanced disease. For example, research from the American Cancer Society shows that tobacco control measures, such as smoking bans and taxes, have prevented 3.8 million lung cancer deaths in the United States since 1970. The most effective way to save lives from late-stage lung cancer has not been through treatment, but through reducing or eliminating smoking altogether.

The same principle applies to other chronic diseases. Managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, high blood glucose, and abnormal cholesterol can actively prevent or delay the onset of disease. These factors are strongly influenced by behaviours such as a lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, unmanaged stress levels, and even excessive alcohol use or smoking.

Investing in regular health check-ups and preventative care can mitigate the risk of serious health problems, ultimately reducing the incidence of costly, advanced illnesses. Simple lifestyle changes, such as prioritising rest and recovery, making time to connect with loved ones, maintaining balanced nutrition, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in regular exercise not only promotes physical and mental health, but can also translate into significant long-term savings in healthcare costs.

“Making quality healthcare more accessible, while enabling and rewarding healthy, preventative habits can lead to complete physical and mental health and wellbeing. Investing in access and wellbeing is a powerful pathway to realising more wealth and more health for more South Africans,” says McHugh.

Measuring and Managing Healthspan within the South African Context

Momentum Health’s data reveals that many South Africans are living longer, but the average age of medical scheme beneficiaries has increased by nearly three years over the past decade, and the proportion of pensioners in medical schemes is rising. Without proactive measures, our nation’s ailing healthcare system will face increasing claims and costs as the population ages and chronic diseases become more prevalent.

Momentum Health believes that the solution lies in taking measures to improve access to both quality medical care and reliable health information and empowering individuals to take responsibility for their own health.

South Africa’s rising NCD burden is not inevitable. With early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and consistent engagement with preventative healthcare, individuals can not only extend their lifespan but also improve the years lived in good health.

“Prevention isn’t just a personal choice; it’s a public health imperative. By investing in wellness now, we can reduce the future burden on our healthcare system and help more South Africans enjoy longer, healthier lives,” concludes McHugh.

Categories : Expert OpinionTags :

Unpacking the State of Our Nation’s Health

On By ModernMedia

Harnessing the power of preventative care and incentivised wellness to lessen the burden and cost of disease in South Africa.

By Damian McHugh, Chief Marketing Officer, Momentum Health.

South Africa is at a critical juncture in its healthcare landscape. The burden of disease -primarily driven by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders – has escalated alarmingly. Over the past two years, NCDs have increased from 51% in 2022 to 55% in 2024, with diabetes rising by 12% and hypertension increasing from 8% to 10%1. Not only straining our healthcare system but also substantially hampering economic productivity and growth.

Current State of our Nation’s Health

It’s estimated that poor health-related absenteeism costs the South African economy up to R19.1 billion annually2. Beyond these direct financial implications, this hidden drain stifles business growth, reduces workforce efficiency, and hinders overall economic progress. Lifestyle-related diseases contribute significantly to rising healthcare costs – with an estimated R270 billion in healthcare claims projected to be linked to preventable conditions in 20253.

However, we have an opportunity to reverse this trend by embracing preventative care and incentivised wellness- two powerful levers that can help shift our healthcare paradigm from sick care to proactive disease prevention.

Why Prevention Is the Key to a Healthier, Wealthier Nation

I’ve always believed in the notion that your health is your wealth. Preventative healthcare is no doubt one of the most effective ways to reduce the burden and cost of disease. Simple lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, deeper connections with loved ones, routine screenings to know one’s numbers, and effective stress management – have all been proven to dramatically lower the risk of chronic conditions. Yet, despite these clear benefits, many South Africans struggle to prioritise their health due to financial constraints, limited access to wellness education, and the ever-evolving demands of daily life.

This is where the private healthcare sector, in collaboration with policymakers and employers, can make a significant impact. By incentivising wellness behaviours, we can empower citizens to take control of their health while alleviating the financial burden on our healthcare system.

The Power of Incentivised Wellness

At Momentum Health, we have witnessed firsthand the positive outcomes driven by wellness rewards programmes. By rewarding members for engaging in preventative health activities—such as completing health screenings, maintaining an active lifestyle, or adopting healthier eating habits, we foster sustainable behaviour change through our wellness rewards programme, Momentum Multiply.

When effectively designed, these programmes offer tangible benefits such as lower healthcare costs through a rewards system and encourage healthier lives that rely less on medical intervention in the first place. There is sound evidence that ahealthier population results in fewer medical claims and lower insurance premiums, benefiting both individuals and employers.

It can also be linked to increased productivity as healthy bodies host healthy minds. We have seen that employees who proactively manage their health take fewer sick days, leading to enhanced workplace performance and reduced absenteeism. As a result, these factors contribute immensely to stronger economic growth asa healthier workforce contributes to improved business efficiency and a more resilient economy. However, to fully realise the potential of preventative care and incentivised wellness, we cannot do it alone. It’s pivotal that we adopt a multi-stakeholder approach.

Stronger and healthier together

A collaborative approach where healthcare insurers & providers expand access to preventative screenings, personalised health coaching, and digital health solutions that track and reward healthy habits and behaviour. Where employers adopt and implement workplace wellness programs that encourage employees to prioritise their health through corporate wellness incentives and adequate mental health support.

Where we, the private sector, work alongside Government & Policymakers strengthen the current system, build capacity for future skills andimplement national awareness campaigns to showcase the importance of preventative care.

As it stands, in 2024 the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) set aside R38.1 million in 2024/25 financial year and R119.7 million over the MTEF allocated for health and wellness campaigns, as well as physical activity programmes in prioritised areas such as Townships, Informal Settlement and Hostels and more recently, the GDoH announced a budget of R474.6 million in 2024/25 and R1.4 billion over the MTEF allocated for strengthening mental healthcare services. But ever more importantly, we also need every day South Africans to take proactive steps to manage their health by making better choices in the lives they live.

A Shared Responsibility for a Healthier Future

The numbers are clear. If we don’t act now, the cost of preventable diseases will only continue to rise – jeopardising both the sustainability of our healthcare system and economic stability. By harnessing the power of preventative care and incentivised wellness, we can significantly reduce the burden of disease, improve quality of life, and foster a healthier, more productive South Africa.

We remain committed to leading this change by innovating healthcare solutions that empower South Africans to take charge of their health and provide more health to more South Africans for less when they need it. Together, through collective action and a preventative mindset, we can and must build a healthier nation – one choice at a time.