New Discovery Health report shows mortality declines by 5.6% over the past decade as earlier intervention and behaviour change improve outcomes

Disclaimer

10 June 2026, Johannesburg, South Africa – The new HealthTrend26 Report released by Discovery Health today, reveals that mortality across Discovery Health Medical Scheme members has declined by 5.6% over the past ten years. These improvements reflect sustained gains through earlier diagnosis, stronger treatment pathways and broader access to high-quality healthcare.

The report highlights how Scheme members are living longer and in better health, with more conditions now identified earlier and managed over extended periods. This progress is also changing the nature of healthcare demand, with more members living with multiple, overlapping conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health conditions.

“The progressions revealed in our HealthTrend26 report today have not happened by accident,” says Dr Ron Whelan, CEO of Discovery Health. “They reflect deliberate action across the system -earlier diagnosis, better clinical pathways, and focused support encouraging members to take control of their health. When the right care and the right behaviours come together, outcomes improve significantly.”

Improved outcomes driven by deliberate action across the healthcare system

At the centre of this shift is a more advanced approach to prevention. Discovery Health has long focused on prevention, but the combination of deep clinical data, behavioural science and technology is now taking this to the next level. This enables more precise identification of risk and more personalised guidance for members on what to do, and when to do it.

“We have long understood the importance of prevention,” says Dr Whelan. “What has changed is our ability to deliver it with precision and personalisation. Advances in data and technology enable us to guide each member towards the right actions at the right time — and that is what is materially improving outcomes.”

The report highlights the power of the “Prevention Dividend” — measurable improvements in health outcomes achieved through early risk identification and sustained, targeted intervention. The evidence shows that intervening earlier and supporting consistent healthy behaviours can slow disease progression, reduce complications, and extend healthy life expectancy.

Medical scheme cover provides critical protection when high-impact events occur

At the same time, the data underscores the essential role of medical scheme cover as a financial safety net when severe health events occur.

In 2025, just 1% of Discovery Health Medical Scheme members (approximately 29,000 individuals) accounted for 33% of total healthcare spend, equating to almost R25 billion. Similarly, the top 5% of members accounted for 63% of total spend, or R47 billion. These costs are largely driven by serious, often life-altering conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, which together comprise a significant share of high-cost claims. Critically, many of these events are unpredictable, not confined to any age group, and can affect members at any stage of life.

“The value of a medical scheme is most evident in the moments members cannot anticipate,” says Dr Whelan. “Serious illness and major health events occur without warning. What matters is that members have access to the care they need and the financial protection required to safely navigate these events.”

Cardiovascular health sits at the centre of risk, cost and opportunity

Cardiovascular health remains central to both risk and opportunity in the system. It is one of the largest drivers of healthcare spend and a key factor in the development and progression of multiple chronic conditions. At the same time, it is one of the most modifiable areas in healthcare, making it a critical focus for earlier intervention.

“Cardiovascular health is where we can have the greatest impact,” says Dr Whelan. “It sits at the centre of how conditions develop and overlap. Acting earlier here allows us to prevent progression, improve outcomes and stabilise long-term demand.”

This is where prevention and clinical care intersect most powerfully.

Better detection and treatment are driving measurable improvements in cancer outcomes

Cancer outcomes also highlight how earlier detection and improved treatment are changing the trajectory of disease. Over the past decade, mortality has declined by 48% and life expectancy for members living with cancer has increased by 7.1 years. These improvements reflect advances in treatment and the increasing role of early diagnosis in shaping outcomes.

“Earlier detection and better therapies are improving cancer outcomes in a way we have not seen before,” says Dr Whelan. “The focus is to continue advancing cancer care while ensuring long-term sustainability of access.”

Mental health is rising rapidly, particularly among younger adults

Mental health is emerging as one of the most significant shifts in healthcare demand, particularly among younger members. Prevalence among Discovery Health Medical Scheme members aged 18 to 30 has increased by 80% over the past decade, with 1 in 7 young adults now claiming for mental health conditions. Importantly, this increase reflects earlier engagement and improved access to care, with more members seeking support before their condition escalates.

When mental health conditions overlap with other chronic conditions, the impact is substantial, increasing both care intensity and overall healthcare costs. This highlights the need for more integrated, proactive care across both mental and other chronic conditions.

“This is one of the most important changes we are seeing in the data,” says Dr Ron Whelan. “More members, especially younger adults, are seeking help earlier. That is a positive shift. When mental health is identified and supported alongside physical health, outcomes improve and avoidable escalation is reduced.”

HealthTrend2026 - Six key shifts

The HealthTrend26 Report by Discovery Health highlights six key shifts shaping healthcare demand, outcomes and sustainability, which outlined below:

1. Members are living longer and in better health

Mortality has declined across all age groups, with significant gains in younger adults.

Mortality on Discovery Health Medical Scheme has declined overall by 5.6% – in other words, longevity has improved - across every age band over the past decade. Young adults aged 24 to 39 saw the largest improvement, with mortality down more than 16%. Members aged 75 and older saw mortality decline by nearly 8%. These gains reflect improved access to care, earlier diagnosis and stronger treatment pathways.

As longevity improves, healthcare is shifting from episodic treatment to long-term management and quality of life.

2. Chronic conditions are becoming more complex and overlapping

More than half of members with chronic conditions now live with multiple conditions. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health and cancer increasingly overlap, driving complexity and cost.

3. Mental health is rising, particularly among younger adults

Mental health prevalence among young adults has increased by 80%. Earlier engagement is improving outcomes, but comorbidity with other chronic conditions drives significantly higher care intensity, with hospital admission rates and costs up to 3.5 times higher than for members without both a mental health condition and chronic disease.

4. Cancer is increasingly a long-term condition

Survival has improved by 48%, with members living 7.1 years longer after diagnosis. Earlier detection is critical, improving outcomes and shaping long-term care needs.

5. Cardiovascular health is the central driver of outcomes and cost

Prevalence has risen significantly and now accounts for a substantial share of healthcare spend. It is also the most important modifiable risk, making it the key intervention point in the system.

6. The Prevention Dividend is reshaping the future of healthcare

Earlier intervention and sustained behaviour change are improving outcomes and reducing long-term risk. Clear, consistent actions, sustained over time, are fundamentally changing the trajectory of health.

Conclusion

The HealthTrend26 Report by Discovery Health makes clear that the future of healthcare will be shaped by earlier action, more precise and personalised care, and sustained behaviour over time. The evidence shows that better outcomes are not only achievable, but already being realised at scale across Discovery Health Medical Scheme.

“This report shows that better health outcomes are not accidental,” says Dr Whelan. “They are driven by earlier intervention, better care and sustained behaviour. At the same time, the Scheme provides essential protection when members face serious, unpredictable health events. Together, this is what shapes the future of healthcare.”

Ends/.