Topics: Health, Health Care, Pharmaceuticals

3 March 2025 07:00

World-first: Personal Health Pathways by Discovery Health takes 2.1 million adult medical scheme members on a hyper-personalised health journey powered by predictive AI tech

[disclaimer] This press statement is issued by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and accredited administrator of medical schemes on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, which it administers.


Harnessing the power of advanced, evidence-based data science and artificial intelligence (AI)

13 February 2025 14:31

Groundbreaking health insurance offering by Vitality Health International and Strategis provides comprehensive cover with flexible plans, malaria benefit and more

Vitality Health International’s health insurance offering which employers can provide to their staff, presented through Strategis’ in-market insurance expertise, brings innovative new benefits to Tanzania, including a range of four flexible plan options, a Malaria Benefit, and the Vitality behaviour-change rewards programme.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 13 February 2025 – Health insurance provider

29 January 2025 12:23

New Discovery Vitality research: Regular exercise preceding cancer diagnosis linked to lower likelihood of cancer progression and death

Johannesburg, January 29, 2025– Engaging in regular physical activity before a cancer diagnosis can significantly reduce the risk of cancer progression and mortality, according to new research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The study, conducted by Discovery Vitality in partnership with researchers from Wits University and the University of Western Ontario, highlights the crit

12 November 2024 13:12

Discovery Health Medical Scheme launches Active Smart: affordable healthcare for new entrants and young professionals

[disclaimer] This press statement is issued by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and accredited administrator of medical schemes on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, which it administers.
Key highlights:
Launch date: Subject to the approval by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), an

4 November 2024 09:37

Discovery Foundation Awards honour exceptional healthcare professionals in 2024

The Discovery Foundation has reached its R300 million investment milestone, achieving a 72% Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) target directed towards black beneficiaries. To date, the Foundation has funded up to 10% of the sub-specialists training posts in South Africa and currently awards more than 75% of its annual grants to black recipients as part of its transformation-led strategy. Since it

24 October 2024 12:10

Affordable cover for accidents and medical emergencies through Discovery Emergency Cover

Highlights:
The Discovery Emergency Cover range of options will be available from 1 January 2025 Employees and their families will now have access to extensive cover for accidents and trauma events, treatment in casualty and for emergency in-hospital procedures Discovery Emergency Cover is offered through three packages – Emergency Core, Emergency Plus, Emergency Max - starting at R90 per mont

17 September 2024 15:57

Discovery Health Medical Scheme introduces new plan for young professionals, enhances member benefits, and raises contributions by 7.4% to 10.9% for 2025

Discovery Health Medical Scheme announces a new plan for young professionals, adds to the day-to-day benefits of members through a new Personal Health Fund, and increases contributions by 7.4% to 10.9% across its plan range in alignment with projected medical inflation for 2025.
This press statement is issued by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised f

1 September 2024 12:57

Buying healthier food reduces the likelihood of becoming obese by 13%, Vitality research shows; Vitality enhances HealthyFood rewards

Johannesburg, September 1, 2024- Discovery Vitality’s latest research shows that regularly purchasing healthy food can lead to a 13% reduction in the risk of becoming obese.
“Purchasing behaviours have a profound influence on our dietary habits, which are linked to dietary risk factors that contribute to over 7 million deaths globally per year. Our latest research underscores the health risks

31 July 2024 12:53

Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) prioritises members’ wellness, alongside continued focus on sustainability

Johannesburg, 31 July 2024: Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) continues to demonstrate strong performance, financial certainty and sustainability for members’ peace of mind.
Presenting at the Scheme’s Annual General meeting (AGM), Discovery Health Medical Scheme Principal Officer, Charlotte Mbewu, reflected on the achievements of the 2023 financial year. Results presented show that the S

28 June 2024 08:30

Mental health matters: Prioritising wellbeing in university students

University students are likely to experience mental health issues. What are the warning signs? And how can healthy eating, exercise and financial savvy play a role in protecting mental health?
28 June 2024, Johannesburg: Discovery Health Medical Scheme claims data show a 120% increase in the prevalence of mental health conditions among young people (ages 18-24) from 2012 to 2022, compared to an

20 May 2024 12:31

Your questions about the flu and flu vaccine, answered

By Professor Cheryl Cohen, Head of the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), and Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Health
The flu season is officially here. The best way to protect yourself from a nasty bout of flu is by getting your flu vaccine ahead of time.
The first influenza outbreak happ

14 May 2024 15:37

Discovery Health Medical Scheme notes an increase in young people diagnosed with chronic high blood pressure (hypertension)

“This World Hypertension Day and May Measure Month, Discovery Health encourages everyone to make regular blood pressure checks a priority,” says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical officer at Discovery Health. “Blood pressure checks are a very quick and easy way to know one’s risk of chronic high blood pressure - also called hypertension.”
‘May Measure Month’ is a global blood pressur

10 April 2024 13:29

Madison Life Insurance Zambia Limited (MLife), in partnership with Vitality Health International, excites Zambia with the launch of new health insurance offerings, and innovative benefits

The MLife and Vitality Health International partnership highlights joint commitment to enhancing the quality of lives in Zambia.
Lusaka, Zambia 10 April 2024: MLife, a highly trusted brand that pioneered the introduction of Health Insurance in Zambia, and Vitality Health International, an innovative healthcare insurer, today announced their partnership and launch of their ground-breaking insura

8 April 2024 09:16

Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s WELLTH Fund pays out more than R600 million since January 2023

The WELLTH Fund has already paid out over R600 million to Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) members since it launched in January 2023. The once-off benefit will be available until 31 December 2024. The top five services DHMS members used their WELLTH Fund benefit for in 2023 were to fund visits to dentists, GPs, physiotherapists, optometrists and to obstetricians and gynaecologists. In 2

3 April 2024 14:34

Breast Health Foundation and Discovery Fund brings essential women’s healthcare services to members of the community in Mpumalanga

03 April 2024, Johannesburg – The Breast Health Foundation (BHF), supported by the Discovery Fund, successfully renovated and inaugurated the Pfukani Women’s Clinic at Tintswalo Hospital in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, with the ambition to bring critical healthcare services closer to members of the community.
In April 2002, the Breast Health Foundation was established as a Not-for-Profit Organisatio

14 March 2024 07:00

Everyday medicines can damage your kidneys. Here’s what you need to know

The medicines you use on a regular basis could be harming your kidneys. Knowing how to protect your kidneys can help prevent you from developing chronic kidney disease and other life-threatening conditions.
All drugs can have a negative effect on kidney health, whether they are prescribed or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, or chronic consumption of illegal drugs or alcohol. Even some medicin

12 March 2024 09:30

Walking 5,000 steps three times a week could add three years to life expectancy

New research by Vitality and the London School of Economics shows that walking at least 5,000 steps three times a week is a milestone habit that, when maintained for two years, can add up to three years to a previously inactive individual’s life expectancy and reduce their healthcare costs by up to 13%.

28 February 2024 10:24

Leading health insurer’s ambition to help create a healthier Africa continues to gain momentum

Leading health insurer’s ambition to help create a healthier Africa continues to gain momentum
Vitality Health International, the innovative health insurer that provides leading healthcare solutions to employers in Africa, has announced additional benefits, improved access to accredited healthcare provider networks, and a new health insurance plan to further broaden access of comprehensive heal

4 February 2024 12:19

Discovery Health Medical Scheme data shows over R3.2 billion paid for cancer treatment in 2023

Regular cancer screening is lifesaving - the earlier you catch cancer, the better your outcomes
With World Cancer Day commemorated every year on 4 February, latest claims data from Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) shows an improvement in cancer screening rates following the dip noted during the pandemic period from 2020 to 2022. For the most part they have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

6 December 2023 14:31

Living to 100 and beyond: Celebrating the Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s 90 centenarian members

In April 2023, Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) provided cover to 90 centenarian members (people aged 100 years or older), including two semi-supercentenarians aged 105. These members represent 0.0032% of DHMS lives (32 centenarians per million Scheme members). Ironically, DHMS centenarians are healthier than the average elderly member, with a chronic condition prevalence that is similar