Momentum Multiply app rewards users for being healthy

South African medical aid scheme, Momentum, has shifted its focus from just treating illness to a mentality of preventing disease, using mobile tech to reward its members for making healthy choices via its Multiply app.

This was revealed during a panel discussion on pursuing complete health and well-being in a digital age, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, this week.

"Momentum Multiply is trying to create a culture of not working hard to be healthy, but a culture of adopting being healthy as a lifestyle," said Momentum Multiply Head Márcia Garcia Eugénio.

The app is accessible to all Momentum health-scheme members and rewards them for making healthy choices and provides them with tools and resources to help simplify their lives.

Although not zero-rated, the mobile app which can also be accessed on the web, tracks its members' health metrics, sets goals and monitor their progress.

Moreover, qualifying members get rewarded for living a healthy lifestyle, physically as well as mentally.

"What we are trying to do with the technology of the Momentum Multiply app is make it accessible to everyone. We know and our data proves this, that people that know their health, understand their risk factors, and claim less," she added.

South African medical aid scheme Momentum, is using mobile technology to try to create a culture of healthy lifestyle choices. (Source: Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik).

"That is what we are trying to achieve with technology is knowing the risk and providing you with access information," she added.

Garcia Eugénio explained that even though people know that they should eat better, or sleep better, that experience works well when it is personalized.

"What the Momentum Multiply app does is deliver the information, at the right time and through the right channel," Eugénio explained.

App enabling healthy lifestyles

Dr. Michael Mol added that for a very long time, doctors focused on trying to extend the lifespan of patients, however, healthspan is also important, thus an app that promotes healthy living is important.

"Healthspan is those years we have, free of disability and chronic disease. Globally the average lifespan is 73 years, while the average health span is 63 years. So, 63 good years, and then the wheels come off," he explained.

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"As healthcare people, we shouldn't be thinking about extending life, as much as we should be thinking about narrowing the gap between lifespan and healthspan," he said.

"Health is the most important asset that a person has. The assets that a person has right now are not worth anything if they don't have health," added Momentum Chief Marketing Officer, Damian McHugh.

*Top image is of from left to right, Dr Michael Mol, Momentum Multiply Head Márcia Garcia Eugénio, Momentum Chief Marketing Officer, Damian McHugh, Private Practising Dietician, Mbali Mapholi and Neurologist and founder of Memorability, Dr Kirti Ranchod. (Source: Momentum).

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa