<\/p>\n
South African women are living longer than men, with female life expectancy currently sitting at around 69.6 years, compared to 64 years for men, according to Statistics South Africa. But living longer doesn\u2019t always mean being healthier.<\/p>\n
Experts refer to this as the \u201cmorbidity-mortality paradox\u201c, where women tend to outlive men, but often spend more of their later years managing chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.<\/p>\n
Cancers such as breast and cervical cancer can also develop without obvious symptoms, making regular health checks more important than ever.<\/p>\n
The good news is that many of these conditions can be prevented, delayed or treated more successfully when detected early.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where the idea of healthspan becomes important,\u201d says Bonitas Medical Fund.<\/p>\n
\u201cLifespan refers to how long you live. Healthspan is about how many of those years are spent in good health, remaining active, independent and able to enjoy life. Our goal shouldn\u2019t simply be to add years to life, but to add healthy years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonitas shares some practical ways to help you achieve this.<\/p>\n
Make prevention part of your routine<\/p>\n
Many of the health conditions that become more common with age develop gradually and often don\u2019t cause noticeable symptoms until complications arise. That\u2019s why regular preventative screening is one of the best ways to protect your long-term health.<\/p>\n
Rather than waiting until you feel unwell, use your annual check-up to identify potential health risks early and take action before they become more serious.<\/p>\n
Health checks every woman should know about<\/p>\n
As you get older, speak to your healthcare provider about the screenings that are appropriate for your age and risk factors.<\/p>\n
These may include:<\/p>\n
Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose checks from age 21 onwards;
\nCervical cancer screening (pap smears) as recommended by your healthcare provider;
\nMammograms from age 40, depending on your personal and family history;
\nBone density scans after menopause or earlier if you\u2019re at increased risk of osteoporosis; and
\nAnnual wellness assessments to review your overall health and discuss any changes or concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe often avoid screening because we think that what we don\u2019t know can\u2019t hurt us,\u201d says Bonitas. \u201d<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the opposite is often true. Screening helps detect health problems before they become difficult to manage, giving you more treatment options and better health outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Healthy habits matter too<\/p>\n
Regular screenings are only one part of healthy ageing.<\/p>\n
Women should also prioritise:<\/p>\n
Regular physical activity, including strength and resistance exercises;
\nA balanced, nutritious diet;
\nGood quality sleep;
\nManaging stress; and
\nAvoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, life doesn\u2019t have to be boring,\u201d says Bonitas. \u201cA little indulgence in moderation does you more good than bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Take advantage of preventative benefits<\/p>\n
Many medical schemes offer preventative healthcare benefits that encourage members to stay on top of their health.<\/p>\n
These often include annual wellness screenings, as well as age-appropriate preventative care such as pap smears, mammograms, bone density screening and other recommended health checks.<\/p>\n
Bonitas also offers wellness screenings and a Female Health Programme \u2013 designed to support members through different stages of life.<\/p>\n
There is no better time to put your own health first. Don\u2019t wait until symptoms appear before taking action.<\/p>\n
Booking your annual wellness screening and staying up to date with recommended health checks can help detect potential problems early, improve treatment outcomes, and give you the best chance of enjoying more healthy, active years.<\/p>\n
Your future health starts with the decisions you make today. Schedule your screening, know your numbers and make preventative care part of your routine.<\/p>\n
Brought to you by Bonitas Medical Fund.<\/p>\n
Moneyweb does not endorse any product or service being advertised in sponsored articles on our platform.<\/p>\n
#Women #outliving #men #living<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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