The most critical risks South Africans face today
Drickus Maartens • October 9, 2019
Discovery Life
has released its 2018 claims statistics
and the numbers tell a compelling story about the risks South Africans in different age groups face today.
Discovery Life’s 2018 claims data has revealed the major risks Discovery Life members across different age groups faced in 2018.
Unnatural causes continue to be the predominant reason for death claims, among people under the age of 30. Last year, the leading causes of unnatural deaths were motor vehicle accidents (35%), suicide (32%), other accidents (17%) and crime (16%). In 2018, Discovery paid out R4.2 billion in claims, while R4.3 billion has been paid in PayBack and Cash Conversion payouts since Discovery Life’s launch in 2000.
Young people under 30 face more unnatural risks
“Sadly, trauma and unnatural deaths still cause the bulk of our young clients’ life claims,” says Dr Maritha van der Walt, Chief Medical Officer for Discovery Life.
Since 2013, the leading causes of death in clients under 30 have been suicide and trauma, comprising 69% of life claims. Of those claims, 43% were a result of vehicle accidents.
In 2018, Discovery Life’s youngest female claimant was only 28 when she died from a motorbike accident. “Young adults are out on the roads, sometimes late at night,” Dr Van der Walt says. “Late night driving poses a higher risk for accidents.”
Members in their thirties (millennials) are living well
The good news is that members between the ages of 31 and 40 are at a lower risk of dying prematurely from heart-related conditions. When compared to claims from 2013 to 2015, heart and artery claims have lowered significantly over the past three years among millennials. During this timeframe, Discovery Life has seen these clients’ heart and artery:
- Death claims drop by 7%
- Capital disability claims lower by 19%
- Severe illness claims decrease by 10%
- Income continuation benefit claims reduce by 33%.
“We hope that the decrease in heart and artery claims is owing to people engaging in Vitality, living healthier lives and going for their screening tests. We know that clients with higher Vitality statuses have fewer claims across the board,” Dr Van der Walt explains.
Suicide and depression on the rise in middle age
While people in their thirties seem to have reduced some of their risks, members between 41 and 50 are struggling with suicide and depression, especially when you compare the information with the entire client base:
| Members between 41 and 50 | All age groups |
|---|---|
| Over the last two years, suicide claims increased by 17%. | Over the same period, suicide claims increased by 8%. |
| Over the last two years, capital disability claims for mental and behavioural problems increased by 22%. | Since 2014, capital disability claims for mental and behavioural problems have decreased by 30%. |
“Sadly, mental health problems and suicides are increasing worldwide,” Dr Van der Walt says.
In responding to this, Discovery will be adding mental wellbeing as a personalised health goal for the first time in 2020.
Older people experience more breast, prostate and skin cancer
“In our older clients we see more disease-related claims – strokes, cancers, heart attacks and so on,” Dr Van der Walt explains. Cancer is the leading cause of female severe illness claims, with breast cancer accounting for 46% of cancers among female Discovery Life clients.
Women of all ages are at risk of developing breast cancer. However, over the last four years, it has been the leading type of cancer (49%) in women between the ages of 51 and 60. During this time, severe illness claims for breast cancer increased by 9% in the last two years.
While men are more likely to pass away from heart and artery conditions, cancer is the second leading cause of death. Prostate cancer is most prevalent and accounts for over 31% of male cancers in all age groups and 38% of male cancers in the 41-to-50 age bracket. Severe illness claims for prostate cancer have increased by 27% in the last two years.
On the upside, claims for skin cancer in this age bracket have decreased over the last three years for both men (11%) and women (29%).
People over 60 need financial certainty going into retirement
Last year, the oldest male claimant died of cancer at 86 while the oldest female claimant had a heart attack at 88. People in this age category face a significant risk of disability, which may impede their income if they’re not properly insured.
In 2018, more than 40% of clients over the age of 60 who claimed from their Income Continuation Benefit were permanently disabled
The Discovery Life claims trends highlight the importance of getting life cover to protect yourself and your family during all stages of life and that living a healthy, active lifestyle can make a difference.
Dr Shikar Mothilal, respiratory specialist, explains how pulmonary fibrosis affects lung function and why early intervention matters.
HPV prevention saves lives and eases healthcare burdens. “Everyone benefits when more women are vaccinated,” says Dr Nono Ledwaba-Mweli.
Obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Mokgohloe Phasha stresses the importance of sleep during pregnancy.
Ten-year-old Alondwe Ngwenya was, until recently, a child set apart by large, painful tumours disfiguring one side of his face and his foot, holding him back from his greatest passion in life: soccer.
Dr Muhammed Ra’ees Vally explains why children are more susceptible to ear infections and shares tips on recognising the signs and preventing complications.
“Mould exposure, particularly in poorly ventilated indoor environments, can lead to a variety of health symptoms — especially for individuals with underlying respiratory conditions, allergies, or weakened immune systems,” warns Dr Raisa Bhikoo, a pulmonologist and specialist physician.
For many first-time mothers, the idea of weaning can feel overwhelming. paediatric neonatologist Dr Letlhogonolo Sepeng from Netcare Park Lane Hospital offers guidance to help navigate this transition.
Cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of the Young Hearts Africa Foundation, Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg, has made it his life’s purpose to reach children with life-threatening heart defects like Baby Kendreya Pillay's before it is too late. Since its inception in 2023, the foundation has helped 30 children.
Focus on the Workforce this Winter
Urologists Dr Hannes Brummer and Dr Johan Coetzee, who practise at Netcare Greenacres Hospital, are encouraging men to prioritise prostate cancer screening this Men’s Health Month.
