Wellness Programs and Preventive Care: Aiming to promote healthier lifestyles among policyholders

“ How are you? - Nidhi Asked Shalini. “I am doing well “ -Shalini replied. But something in her tone told Nidhi that her friend was not okay. Her once spirited and chirpy friend sounded hollow and down. On further probing, she came to know that financially, she is in great distress as her medical costs are now unmanageable despite having high health insurance coverage. Her husband has had chronic coronary artery disease for six years. He had been operated on twice for blockage of the artery and had been repeatedly warned by his Doctors to give up his smoking and drinking habits.

But all was in vain. Despite repeated reminders and warnings, he continued his unhealthy lifestyle. He ended up again in the hospital for another major surgery since his main artery was now blocked due to high cholesterol deposits (plaques). Atherosclerosis has almost blocked blood flow to his heart and he was moving towards a massive myocardial infarction. The health insurance coverage he could afford was not enough as there were multiple claims in the past. And Shalini was contemplating liquidating their savings for the future to stay afloat.

Nidhi was shocked and worried about her friend. But she was determined to help Shalini get out of this mess. She has been researching health and wellness programs, which she thought would be the right way for Shalini to avoid such future catastrophes. It is not only required to invest financially in health insurance but also time and effort in preventing illness through wellness health plans and healthy lifestyles.

Make the Right Choice

Would you like to lay in a hospital bed worrying about your family’s future or would you like to spend quality time with them enjoying a healthy life? The choice is obvious. The primary goal of preventive healthcare is to stop illness before it occurs proactively. Also called prophylaxis, it helps preserve and promote overall well-being. It even involves reducing risk factors and improving treatment for existing diseases. You will be surprised to know that the preventive healthcare sector in India, which includes nutrition and wellness, health tracking, healthy foods and supplements, and early prognosis, has been estimated to reach US$ 197 billion by 2025">US$ 197 Billion by 2025. Technology disruption has helped spread awareness of preventive healthcare, such as wildfire, thanks to the pandemic.

Here is a list of basic Preventive care and Wellness Programs to help you:

Wellness Programs 

The various types of wellness programs include:

1. Regular Health Screenings like checking blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels can help in the early detection of diseases which may be congenital or acquired but have not shown any detectable symptoms.

2. Fitness Programs Join a nearby Gym or work out in your office gymnasium to keep fit and incorporate physical activities into your daily routine. Health insurance with gym benefits can also be opted for, if you are determined to achieve your health goals.

3. A guide to daily nutrition by professional dieticians will help you have a healthy and balanced diet. Knowing what to avoid and what to consume to stay fit also reduces the cost of daily food purchases. 

4. If you feel that your daily work is extremely stressful and exhausts you mentally rather than physically, invest your time in yoga classes and mental health resources, focussing on mental health and well-being.

5. Self-control is a massive step towards preventive care. Quitting smoking and Alcohol intake leads to significant improvement in health and wealth. 

6. Self Motivation with health goals if tracked can also be rewarding in the long run. Health challenges such as weight loss programmes or step counts with daily activity schedules can also provide a satisfying output.

Preventive Care 

1. Vaccinations are a well-known method of preventive care and should not stop with age. Even seniors may need vaccination as preventive care.

2. Routine check-ups and visits to your family physician should be a habit without fail.

3. Colonoscopy, prostate exams and even mammograms can help detect fatal diseases at early stages easing future treatments. These Screening tests become even more critical if you have a family history of such illnesses. 

4. Awareness about Diabetes, Asthma and Hypertension should include management techniques by regular monitoring and education.

If Shalini’s husband had been following some of these measures, his wife would not have been worried sick about their financial future. Care Health Insurance policies have inbuilt health insurance wellness programs, which makes their product holistic and comprehensive to invest in.

>> Also Read: Wellness Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle

Ways to Incorporate Wellness Programs

You may now come up with reasons like your work schedule not allowing you to spend so much time on wellness and nutritional programs.  Although technology has fuelled employment and created vast economic opportunities, the work culture and lifestyle have exacerbated the rate of non-communicable diseases over the years. Long irregular work hours, a highly pressurised work environment, high targets, and travel have worsened the work-life balance. This has led to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy food habits, and substantial work-related stress, whose repercussions are irreversible and are faced later in life.

A report from the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India estimates that wellness programs can save the Indian Corporate sector billions of dollars by reducing employee absenteeism associated with non-communicable diseases.

The following are some of the  wellness program ideas that can be followed in the workplace:

1. Employee health benefits: Even for small and medium-sized businesses, employee group health insurance should be a mandatory perk employers offer. Group health insurance reduces the premium cost and eases claim payment, as company contracts protect the insurer and insured. These group insurances should include wellness benefits and free checkups as part of preventive care.

2. Remote Work Management: For employees working remotely, happy hours, therapy sessions, and online yoga classes should be arranged to support them physically and mentally.

3. Work-Life Balance: These initiatives balance employees' professional and personal lives. The programs may include wellness support events for employees and their family members, a guide to healthy eating, financial literacy, etc.

4. On-Site Fitness Wellness Programs: The best way to engage an employee is to have an on-site health and fitness centre where fitness classes are conducted, gym facilities are made available and nutritious food is provided in the canteen.

5. Financial Literacy: Corporations should invest in financial seminars, one-on-one coaching, and guidance to ensure employees can establish monetary goals and prepare for the future. This can include tax planning, the importance of investing in health insurance, retirement fund planning and children’s education planning.

The corporate sector must now see workplace wellness as an essential public health measure. With the growing expense of medical insurance, every sector must join hands and devise preventive solutions. It is high time that work centres also prioritise health and wellness programs.

Taking Baby Steps Towards A Healthy Future

It is a well-known fact that children imitate their parents. But when they spend almost two-thirds of their time in school, is it okay to have a similar health and wellness programme in schools as well? The Ayushman Bharat Programme of Govt. of India was launched as a joint initiative with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide age-appropriate information about wellness and nutrition to children in schools.

The designated “Health And Wellness Ambassadors,” who are the teachers selected from schools, were responsible for health promotion and disease prevention information dissemination through interesting activities every week.

Private schools should also adopt these activities and programs as part of their regular curriculum to instil this awareness early.

The Road Ahead

You should always aim to lead a content life rather than a long arduous one inflicted with pain and suffering. And you are responsible for the choice you make. If an hour a day can save you months of hospital visits and lakhs of rupees, is it not wise to prioritise health and wellness programs with all your heart?

Disclaimers: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.