Earlier diagnosis, targeted interventions and sustained behaviour changes improve outcomes and reduce long-term risks.
South Africans are living longer and surviving serious illnesses at higher rates, Discovery Health data shows, although many also require years of ongoing treatment.
The result is a healthcare system increasingly shaped by a small group of members with complex medical needs, who account for a disproportionate share of spending.
Discovery Health says South Africans are living longer than they were a decade ago, but those extra years increasingly come with more complex health conditions that are reshaping healthcare demand and driving costs higher.
The company's HealthTrend2026 report found mortality among Discovery Health Medical Scheme members declined by 5.6% over the past decade, reflecting earlier diagnosis, improved treatment pathways and broader access to healthcare.
