KENYA —Vitality Health International and Lifecare International Insurance have joined forces to introduce a novel product centered around promoting healthier lifestyle choices.
The partnership between Vitality Health International and Lifecare International Insurance marks a significant milestone in the health insurance industry.
The newly launched product in Nairobi seeks to motivate people to adopt healthier habits that enhance their overall well-being and subsequently, lead to lower healthcare costs and premiums.
To achieve this, Vitality Health International will encourage healthy lifestyle choices such as reducing smoking, limiting alcohol intake, making better dietary choices, and increasing physical exercise.
To ensure the effectiveness of these behavioral changes, the company will use data analytics to adjust premiums and improve the remittance of healthcare costs for individuals who adopt these lifestyle changes.
This approach represents a departure from the traditional model in the health insurance industry, where clients are not incentivized to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Instead, individuals who adopt positive lifestyle changes will receive rewards and benefits from their insurer.
This not only promotes healthy living but also reduces the risk of chronic illnesses that are linked to poor lifestyle choices.
The World Health Organisation has expressed concern about the rising trend in the number of individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of above 30, which has increased by over 42% between 2002 and 2022.
The National Institute of Health has also noted the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles due to urbanization, which has resulted in less physical labor and more alcohol and substance use.
In addition, people’s diets have shifted from low fat, sugar, and salt intakes to the opposite.
Studies have shown that prolonged sitting without walking or physical exercise is almost as deadly as smoking.
The globally acclaimed science-based behavior-change program of Vitality Health International combines data analytics with rewards and incentives to encourage people to make healthier choices.
Vitality Health International has identified four key lifestyle elements that are attributable to the rise in chronic illnesses: high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
These illnesses account for 60% of all deaths globally. Vitality Health International CEO Emma Knox emphasized the importance of creating greater awareness around health and wellness and providing tangible ways to improve people’s health.
She also noted that promoting physical well-being among employees can create far-reaching benefits for people, businesses, and society as a whole.
In addition to rewarding individuals for adopting healthy lifestyle choices, Vitality Health International will also reward employers with a cashback of up to 10% on the renewal of premiums for encouraging their employees to live healthier.
This will improve workforce productivity and promote a healthy work culture.
Vitality Health International’s health insurance model is unique in that it rewards clients for investing in healthy lifestyles, including reduced smoking and physical exercise, proper nutrition, and abstinence from alcohol abuse.
By promoting healthy lifestyles, individuals can improve their quality of life, reduce healthcare costs, and prevent chronic illnesses. This, in turn, will lead to a more productive workforce and a healthier society.
For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
