My Health is My Right
You are the only person in control of your health. It is time to take charge and find out how LA Health can support you on your health journey.
Chronic Lifestyle Diseases
Chronic lifestyle conditions such as diabetes, heart attacks and cancers are increasing at a very rapid pace. These noncommunicable diseases typically occur due to smoking, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. In a Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) study, almost 50% of South African adults were found to be obese or overweight, and even more concerning is the fact that overweight and obesity issues among children are also on the increase. Overweight and obese people are more likely to be affected by these lifestyle disorders which are responsible for more than 59% of reported mortality in South Africa.
All these lifestyle conditions are preventable, manageable and in some instances even curable. What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones? Regular screening can ensure detection and intervention early on and can avoid serious health issues. LA Health provides cover for a number of health screenings - this means that you don't have to pay for them, they are part of your benefits.
The Screening Benefit covers certain screening tests from the Major Medical Benefit if provided by a Wellness Provider in our network. These tests are:
- Blood glucose
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
Look out for the 'Health Check' sign at your nearest pharmacy.
Other screening tests, subject to the applicable benefits in your Option, are:
- Mammogram
- Pap smear
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
- One LDL Cholesterol test for high-risk members a year
- Colorectal cancer screenings for persons aged 45 to 75 years
- Age-appropriate screening tests for beneficiaries who are 65 years or older
- Screening tests for children between the ages of 2 and 18 years
Take Control of Your Health
Simple changes in living habits can delay or even prevent the onset of lifestyle diseases.
Basic things like:
- increasing physical activity (e.g. walking more often, taking the stairs instead of the lift,)
- making sure you get enough sleep and
- reducing saturated fat, trans fat, and added-sugar foods (such as fatty meat, cakes, biscuits, sweets, pies and other processed foods) in your diet can make a significant difference to your health outcomes.
You are entitled to good health and LA Health is here to support you every step of the way.