Ageing gracefully: the shift from lifespan to healthspan
A holistic approach to health can add years to life and life to years
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Everyone wants to live longer. And in the last century, average global life expectancy has significantly increased. However, living longer and living better do not always go hand in hand.
Addressing the healthspan-lifespan gap begins with viewing health as a proactive investment in well-being, not just the absence of disease or infirmity.
For males and females in Hong Kong, life expectancy stands at 81 years and 87 years respectively, which is the second highest among the world, according to the latest data from the World Bank Group.1
But a high ranking for life expectancy does not necessarily reflect a better state of health – far from it. A 2023 study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong2 shows that while people in Hong Kong and Macau are living longer, they are increasingly experiencing health issues that negatively impact their quality of life. A survey by the Kantar Group3 also found that 81 per cent of individuals in Hong Kong exhibit symptoms of suboptimal health. With the health issues that come with longer life expectancy, the view of what it means to be healthy needs a radical rethink.
Indeed, preventive and predictive measures are essential to improving a person’s healthspan, as well as their future health. Regular screenings, vaccinations and healthy lifestyle guidance can mitigate the impact of chronic disease through early intervention, while addressing common health symptoms such as fatigue, backache, anxiety and insomnia can enhance the quality of life, ensuring years of future vitality.
AIA, a pioneering giant in the insurance industry, believes a comprehensive health and wellness plan is especially relevant for Hong Kong, considering the life expectancy of its population. The insurer’s OptimaCEO Medical Plan covers a wide range of wellness and medical services to protect customers from issues that can derail a full and rewarding seniority.
The plan’s holistic offerings include the OptimaCEO Service Hotline,4 which links customers to an extensive range of prestigious wellness and medical services. A dedicated Wellness Relationship Manager5 connects customers through seamless communication, providing personalised guidance to help customers achieve optimal physical, mental and nutritional well-being.
While cancer insurance is peace-of-mind coverage that hopefully never needs to be used, it is a sensible way to protect financial well-being in case of a diagnosis. Under the OptimaCEO Medical Plan, customers undergoing cancer treatment are assured end-to-end support with multidisciplinary care, access to holistic medical treatment and the benefit of first-in-market6 experimental drugs.8,9
Multidisciplinary care is commonly required for cancer cases – in which healthcare professionals from different disciplines may be required to address the varied aspects of a patient’s needs – customers have access to quality medical services through Signature Healthcare Circle,10,11 a team of multidisciplinary medical specialists and healthcare professionals including cancer surgeons, oncologists, physiotherapists, dietitians and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
To advance proactive and preventive healthcare through revolutionary services, AIA introduces the first-in-market6 Health Wallet,7 a feature that aims to encourage customers to live a healthy lifestyle. Customers can also redeem rewards to improve their health, such as wellness treatments, check-up services and vaccinations. They can also reimburse medical costs and minimise out-of-pocket expenses.
Additional services to the plan include Personal Medical Case Management Services with Rehabilitation Management11,12 for cancer or cardiovascular disease patients with specific conditions, providing a review of medical conditions and multidisciplinary, personalised treatment and rehabilitation plans.
The goal of extending healthspan can apply to future generations – and here, an early start can mean greater benefits. Under the OptimaCEO Medical Plan – First Gift13 policy, expectant mothers are provided with an instant shield for newborns, including immediate hospitalisation and surgical benefits with coverage for congenital conditions. From 15 to 90 days after birth, parents can kick-start a future of health and longevity for their newborn by applying for an OptimaCEO Medical Plan14 policy for their child.
As a child grows, there are developmental concerns that parents need to monitor. These include global developmental delay, a term that refers to a child who takes longer to reach certain development milestones than other children their age, and which occurs in approximately 10 to 15 per 100 persons in the general population. For parents who want to build healthy foundations for their children, the OptimaCEO Medical Plan offers support through the Child and Adolescent Growth and Development Support Hotline,15 which can help foster a harmonious parent-child relationship, manage stress, and offer professional advice on the child’s growth, behavioural and cognitive development. Based on the child’s needs, the hotline offers parents referrals to a range of support services including non-profit organisations, specialists and other healthcare professionals.
By offering a broad range of medical protection and wellness solutions, AIA OptimaCEO empowers its customers to lead Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. AIA’s holistic approach aims to reinforce the idea that looking after one’s health should be a priority – offering a health strategy that provides customers with access to prestigious health and wellness services – that help individuals to reap the benefits of a life well lived.
“AIA Hong Kong & Macau”, “AIA Hong Kong”, “AIA Macau”, “AIA” or “the Company” herein refers to the Hong Kong Branch and/or Macau Branch of AIA International Limited (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability).
“Hong Kong” and “Macau” herein refer to “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” and “Macao Special Administrative Region”, respectively.