Benefits of Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare is a strategy focused on preventing illness and disease before they occur. It includes a range of services such as regular primary care, screenings, immunizations, and lifestyle counseling. Emphasizing preventative care not only benefits individuals but also has far-reaching implications for insurance companies and society as a whole.  

Preventive care, such as cancer screenings, mental health check ins, smoking cessation programs, physicals and wellness programs, can identify health issues at their earliest stages when they are most treatable. This leads to better health outcomes and a higher quality of life for individuals.

Insurance companies play a crucial role in promoting preventive healthcare. But soaring health insurance costs and declining plan benefits make it hard for business to address the unique needs of their key employees.

“It was imperative that we created a product that encouraged employee wellness, major medical plans today are designed to discourage access to care” says Steven Jacobson, President and CEO of Sankaty Light Benefits.

“Our new health and wellness plan, ExecSelect covers a whole host of out-of-pocket medical expenses that are typically not covered by basic healthcare plans. In fact, we encourage claims and want employees to take preventive health measures that lead to a more active and fulfilling life.”

Lifespan vs Health Span - How can we stay healthier longer?

As the new year begins, many of us reflect on the past year and prioritize our goals to reach optimum health and well-being. For some, this means focusing on living longer lives; for others, it means achieving a healthier life.

The distinction between lifespan—the number of years we live—and health span—the years we live free from disease or disability—is a critical conversation for public health, especially for disadvantaged communities that face systemic inequities.

Health span is not just about the years we add to our lives but the life we add to our years.

 

– Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, DrPH

Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to extend health span. This means each of us should have annual check-ups, receive recommended vaccinations, have screenings for chronic diseases, and take health education courses so we can make informed decisions about our health.

Achieving this shift requires not only changes at the institutional level but also active engagement from individuals (and people in decision-making roles) who can drive demand for healthier practices and policies. Is your company’s healthcare plan prioritizing quality of life over simply extending years?

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