You’ve probably heard the saying, “prevention is better than cure”. When it comes to your health, there’s a lot of truth to it.
Preventative healthcare is about looking after your health before something becomes a bigger problem. That can mean going for regular health checks, keeping up with recommended vaccinations, knowing your health risks and making everyday choices that support your physical and mental wellbeing.
And no, you don’t have to wait until something feels wrong to start taking your health seriously.
What is preventative healthcare?
Preventative healthcare focuses on preventing illness, identifying potential health problems early and reducing your risk of developing certain diseases or complications.
It can include:
- Regular doctor check-ups
- Dental check-ups
- Blood pressure checks
- Recommended health screenings
- Mental health check-ins
- Keeping recommended vaccinations up to date
- Eating a balanced diet
- Staying physically active
- Avoiding smoking and other known health risks
- Understanding your personal and family medical history
Preventative healthcare isn’t only about appointments and tests. The small things you do every day can also play a role in protecting your long-term health.
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Why is preventative healthcare important?
Feeling healthy today doesn’t necessarily tell you everything about your health.
Some conditions can develop with few or no obvious symptoms in their early stages. Regular health checks and appropriate screenings can help identify certain health concerns earlier, giving you and your healthcare provider more information to decide what happens next.
Prevention is particularly important when it comes to noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and chronic respiratory diseases.
5 benefits of preventative healthcare
1. It can help identify health problems earlier
You don’t always have to feel sick for there to be something worth checking.
Routine health checks can help healthcare professionals identify potential concerns, monitor changes and recommend further testing or treatment when necessary.
Knowing your numbers, such as your blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol, can also help you better understand your health risks.
2. It can reduce your risk of certain illnesses
Not every illness can be prevented, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk.
Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, limiting harmful alcohol use and following recommended vaccination and screening guidelines can all form part of a preventative approach to your health.
3. It can help prevent certain infections
Vaccination is another important part of preventative healthcare.
Staying up to date with the vaccinations recommended for your age, health and circumstances can help protect you against certain preventable illnesses.
Speak to your healthcare provider about which vaccinations may be appropriate for you.
4. It helps you understand your health
Preventative healthcare isn’t only about finding problems. It’s also about knowing what’s normal for you.
Regular check-ups give you an opportunity to discuss your physical health, mental wellbeing, lifestyle, family medical history and any changes you may have noticed.
The more you understand your health, the easier it can be to make informed decisions about it.
5. It can support your long-term quality of life
Looking after your health is an ongoing process.
Eating well, moving regularly, getting enough sleep, looking after your mental health and attending recommended health checks can all contribute to your overall wellbeing.
You don’t need to completely overhaul your life overnight. Small, consistent habits matter too.
What preventative healthcare checks should you consider?
There isn’t one checklist that applies to everyone.
The health checks and screenings you may need can depend on factors such as your:
- Age
- Sex
- Family medical history
- Existing health conditions
- Lifestyle
- Personal risk factors
Depending on your circumstances, a healthcare professional may recommend checks for things such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and certain cancers.
South Africa is also strengthening its approach to cervical cancer prevention and screening. The National Department of Health’s 2026–2030 framework includes HPV vaccination, HPV-based screening and early treatment as important parts of the country’s cervical cancer elimination strategy.
The best approach is to speak to a healthcare professional about which preventative healthcare checks are appropriate for you and how often you should have them.
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Does health insurance help with preventative healthcare?
Healthcare costs can sometimes make people put off seeing a doctor, especially when they don’t feel sick.
Having health insurance can help you plan for certain healthcare costs, depending on the benefits included in your policy.
With Oneplan Health Insurance, your cover can include benefits for day-to-day healthcare, depending on the plan you’ve chosen and the applicable policy terms, limits and waiting periods.
How Oneplan makes everyday healthcare simpler
We believe getting healthcare shouldn’t feel complicated.
With Oneplan Health Insurance, you can:
- Visit any doctor: You aren’t restricted to a specific doctor network, so you can visit the doctor you know and trust.
- Claim through the Oneplan App: Submit your claim digitally from your phone.
- Get approved funds upfront: For qualifying claims, approved funds can be loaded onto your Oneplan Claim Card before you pay your healthcare provider.
- Choose cover for your needs: Different plans offer different healthcare benefits, giving you options when choosing your cover.
Remember that benefits differ between plans and are subject to policy terms, limits, waiting periods and exclusions.
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Make preventative healthcare part of your routine
You don’t need to wait until you’re sick to pay attention to your health.
Book the check-up you’ve been putting off. Ask your doctor which screenings are appropriate for you. Keep moving, eat well and pay attention when something doesn’t feel right.
A little attention to your health today could make a meaningful difference later.
And when you want cover to help you manage life’s healthcare moments, Oneplan Health Insurance is here to help.
Your Health Insurance Family,
