As South Africans face rising inflation, pressure from the burden of chronic disease and financial strain, Momentum Health is advocating for a stronger national focus on the prevention dividend: the long-term value created when South Africans use preventative healthcare, wellness programmes, screenings, health assessments and digital tools to manage health risks before they become serious and costly.
This comes as households, employers and the healthcare system face increasing pressure from affordability constraints, chronic disease and mental health challenges. Research referenced by Stellenbosch Business School has estimated that health-related productivity losses cost South Africa around R161 billion a year, driven by absenteeism, presenteeism and untreated mental health challenges.
Momentum Health believes the conversation needs to move beyond healthcare as an expense that pays only when people are ill. Instead, medical aid should be seen as an investment in helping people stay healthier for longer.
“Rather than paying claims after someone becomes ill, modern healthcare needs to focus on helping people understand their risks earlier, take action sooner and build healthier habits that can improve quality of life over time,” says Damian McHugh, Chief Marketing Officer at Momentum Health. “Prevention is one of the most practical ways to support both better health outcomes and greater financial resilience for South Africans.”
Prevention is becoming more urgent
South Africa’s health and economic realities make prevention increasingly important. PwC’s South Africa Economic Outlook notes that South Africa’s real GDP per capita declined by a cumulative 4.2% over the past decade, a signal often associated with pressure on living standards and economic stability.
At the same time, the country continues to carry a significant disease burden. Government and World Health Organisation reporting show that South Africa has made progress in controlling tuberculosis, with TB cases declining significantly since 2015 and treatment coverage improving to 79% in 2023. However, more than half of TB-affected households still face catastrophic costs, showing how illness can deepen financial vulnerability when people are diagnosed late or struggle to access care.
Mental health is also placing pressure on individuals, employers and families. SADAG’s Working Life Survey found that 52% of surveyed employees had been diagnosed with a mental health condition, with depression, stress, anxiety and burnout among the commonly reported conditions.
These figures show why prevention must be personal, practical and accessible,” adds McHugh. “Every member’s health risks are different. The more people know about their own health, the easier it becomes to make informed choices, use the right benefits and take action before problems escalate.”
Healthy habits can create long-term value
Regular health checks, screenings, physical activity, digital healthcare tools and ongoing health management can help members detect risks earlier and make healthier decisions more consistently.
Preventative care can also support employers and the wider economy. When people are healthier, they are more likely to be present, productive and able to participate fully at work and in their communities. This matters in a country where affordability pressures mean many people are looking for healthcare solutions that deliver tangible value, not only financial protection after illness occurs.
Behavioural incentives can play an important role in this shift. When healthy choices are recognised and rewarded, members are more likely to build routines that support their physical, mental and financial wellbeing. This is the principle behind Momentum’s broader health and wellness approach- making it easier for members to take control of their health before problems arise.
Prevention is personal
The next phase of healthcare will be increasingly personalised. Data, health assessments and digital tools can help members better understand their individual health risks and choose the most relevant actions, whether that means completing a screening, increasing physical activity, accessing care digitally or managing a chronic condition more proactively.
“Prevention works best when it is simple, personalised and part of everyday life,” says McHugh. “Our role is to help members connect the dots between their daily habits, their health outcomes and their financial wellbeing. That is how healthcare becomes more than a monthly contribution. It becomes an investment in a healthier future.”
