Be aware of these top five health conditions, especially if you’re over 50:
Mark Arnold, Principal Officer of Resolution Health Medical Scheme, says that health screenings may help to identify underlying health issues early so that these can be better managed. Photo: Resolution Health Medical Scheme
An analysis of the most prevalent health conditions claimed for from a local medical scheme reveals the importance of South Africans practising healthy living and having regular preventative screening tests from a young age.
“The data derived from claims from our scheme during 2016 indicate that all of the top five conditions were most prevalent in individuals older than 50,” says Mark Arnold, Principal Officer of Resolution Health Medical Scheme (Resolution Health).
“Fortunately, there are a number of measures people can take to either prevent the development of some of these conditions, or identify the warning signs early on.”
The top five claimed-for conditions during 2016 were:
- Unstable angina
- Chronic renal failure
- Senile nuclear cataract
- Pneumonia
- Severe depressive episode
“While some of these conditions can strike at any age, we found that there is often a steep uptake in claims for people past the age of 50. Our claims for chronic renal failure, for example, were nearly 30% higher for members who are in their 50s than for those in their 40s,” he observes.
“These days, simple tests are available to identify health risks such as high cholesterol levels and abnormal blood pressure. If these are detected early on, then it is often possible to prevent related conditions, such as coronary heart disease, which is the most common cause of our most claimed-for condition in 2016, unstable angina.
“Other health screenings, such as kidney function and eye tests, may help to identify underlying issues that can often be effectively managed or improved with medication or procedures. Senile nuclear cataract, the third most frequently claimed-for condition last year, is known to be the leading cause of blindness, however the good news is that it can usually be rectified,” Arnold adds.
“We value our members, and this is why we include benefits that support their health as part of all our benefit options. This often means that the member enjoys better health as a result of being treated sooner and taking other proactive measures to protect their health.”
Members living with high-risk chronic illnesses also benefit from a personalised disease management intervention Patient Driven Care™, which is based on clinical and statistical insights, at no additional cost. Since the introduction of the programme, such members have tended to be healthier on average and consequently do not require hospitalisation as frequently.
Arnold asserts that it is never too early to start taking proactive care of one’s long-term health. “Regular exercise is one of the best means of de-stressing, losing weight and reducing the risk of a wide range of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Individuals of any age can feel the benefit of starting a committed exercise regime, however the younger you start, the better your chance of avoiding the dangers associated with a sedentary lifestyle.”
Exercise has long been reputed to help ward off kidney diseases and some studies suggest that mild to moderate depression and stress can be effectively managed through regular and sustained physical activity. According to the World Health Organization, there is also evidence to suggest that diabetes and high body mass index could increase the risk of developing cataracts.
“The rewards programme offered by Resolution Health is specifically geared towards healthy lifestyles, including regular exercise via the gym or outdoor sporting events,” says Debbie Valentini, Director: Marketing, Communications and Rewards, the rewards programme offered by Resolution Health.
All Resolution Health members are automatically registered on the free Zurreal wellbeing and rewards programme which offers a 20% gym membership discount at a wide variety of facilities. Members then have the option of upgrading to Zurreal Platinum to unlock a cash back gym benefit of up to R9 200, as well as up to R2 000 for participating in outdoor sporting events.
“Furthermore, Zurreal Platinum members are rewarded with up to R3 450 per family every year simply for taking proactive care of their health and undergoing routine health checks, such as mammograms, pap smears, and prostate checks, as well as dental and medical check-ups, among others.
“Zurreal Platinum even has a reward for medical scheme members suffering from chronic conditions. The member simply has to comply with their treatment plan and take their medication regularly and they could find themselves up to R4 000 richer every year,” Valentini adds.
Being healthy is its own reward, although as we get older, many people begin to realise the value of their health more acutely. When you look at the top five claims we processed last year, and the age at which these conditions are most prevalent, this can provide motivation to take preventative measures now in order to reduce the risk of developing these and other worrisome health conditions,” concludes Arnold.
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