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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

COVID-19 LOCKDOWN !

As the cases continue to increase worldwide more and more countries have begun to take drastic measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In some places it is clear containment is no longer achievable, as too many people have become infected and the natural exponential increase in number of cases is inevitable. Now the focus switches to damage mitigation.

We first saw this in Wuhan, with city wide quarantine measures. Then Italy enacted similar measures, now extending across the country with all non-essential services and businesses closed for the foreseeable future. The Italian health service has become strained with the rising patient load, with reports of drastic measures taken in hospitals including conversion of operating theatres into intensive care bays. We have previously discussed the effect this has had on the Italian economy.

A NEW EPICENTRE

With Europe now seen as the “epicentre” of the pandemic, other countries have begun following suit. Spain is the second hardest hit country in Europe, with 6,000 infections and nearly 200 deaths. After a lengthy meeting of the government cabinet, the Spanish PM has enacted a partial lockdown of the country, with the use of armed forces on standby to assist. This includes closure of all shops except those selling food and basic necessities, reduction in medium-distance rail traffic to stem the spread of people around the country, and economic measures to support business workers.

France has also shut down all non-essential businesses, with food shops, chemists, banks and petrol stations remaining unaffected. The PM urged a reduction in travel amongst the population, and to enact “social distancing”. Germany has 3,800 cases but remarkably has only had 8 deaths so far. Berlin has banned all public and private events with more than 50 participants, with similar bans occurring in other cities across the countries.

So what do they hope to achieve with such measures? At first people were advised to take measures to wash hands, practice basic hygiene, self-quarantine if developing symptoms. But it became apparent this was not enough. Social distancing and lockdowns further reduce the spread of the virus by drastically reducing the number of people out in public, the number of interactions they can have. Schools and universities act as breeding grounds for infections, large congregations amongst which respiratory infections can spread like wildfire.

SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING

Lockdown also carries great political power. People respond well to drastic action, rather than soft recommendations to slightly change their daily habit with washing hands and increased hygiene. This is why masks have been so popular amongst the populous. It is decisive, it is visible. It is however NOT recommended by the WHO and most governments to wear as it is unnecessary unless around infected patients, and increased demands is straining supply for medical professionals and those who truly need it.

Similarly, Lockdown is a decisive action. It reassures the population that something is being done, that the government is taking the IT seriously. But it is not a cure to COVID. It is a plaster, a temporary stopping measure, one that cannot continue indefinitely. Shutting businesses can seriously affect the economy, affect people’s income and subsequently prevent them from paying off mortgages or loans. Forcing children to stay at home can affect their education, parents have to choose whether to work or look after their unsupervised kids.

It’s true that lockdown is now a necessity in some countries, and the lockdown of the Hubei province and parts of China was credited with significantly slowing down the spread of COVID. But it will not stop the viral spread completely. For this reason the UK has adopted an alternate strategy, one that we will discuss in our next blog.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, London UK

Head Of Products, Second Medic Inc

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Lower Premiums for Health Score Achievers: How Preventive Wellness Rewards Healthy Choices

Healthcare costs are rising steadily across India, driven largely by lifestyle-related diseases and late-stage diagnosis. In response, organisations and insurers are shifting focus from reactive treatment to prevention. One of the most effective approaches emerging from this shift is offering lower premiums for health score achievers.

This model aligns personal health responsibility with financial incentives, creating a win–win situation for individuals, employers and insurers.

What Is a Health Score?

A health score is a composite indicator that reflects an individual’s overall health status.

It typically considers:

preventive health checkup results
lifestyle habits such as physical activity and sleep
key biomarkers like blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure
body composition indicators

The focus is on risk reduction, not perfection.

Why Health Score–Based Premiums Are Gaining Importance

According to NITI Aayog and EY-FICCI reports, preventive healthcare can reduce long-term medical costs by up to 30–40 percent.

Health score–linked premiums:

reward proactive behaviour
reduce claim frequency
encourage early detection

This shifts healthcare from illness management to health preservation.

The Preventive Healthcare Gap in India

NFHS-5 and ICMR data show:

many chronic diseases remain undiagnosed until advanced stages
preventive screenings are underutilised
lifestyle risks are increasing among working adults

Health score incentives help close this gap.

How Lower Premiums Motivate Behaviour Change

Financial Incentives Drive Consistency

When healthy habits are rewarded financially, individuals are more likely to:

attend regular screenings
improve diet and activity
monitor health metrics

Behaviour change becomes sustainable.

Focus on Improvement, Not Punishment

Modern health score models emphasise:

gradual improvement
personalised targets
achievable milestones

This avoids discouragement and promotes inclusion.

Benefits for Individuals

Reduced Insurance Costs

Lower premiums directly reduce out-of-pocket insurance expenses.

Better Health Awareness

Tracking health scores increases understanding of:

personal risk factors
lifestyle impact
preventive actions

Knowledge leads to better choices.

Early Disease Detection

Regular monitoring identifies:

prediabetes
early hypertension
lipid abnormalities

Early intervention prevents complications.

Benefits for Employers

Lower Healthcare Claims

Preventive health programs reduce:

hospitalisations
long-term treatment costs

This improves corporate insurance sustainability.

Improved Productivity

Healthier employees experience:

fewer sick days
better energy levels
improved focus

Wellbeing translates to performance.

Stronger Wellness Culture

Reward-based programs signal genuine employer commitment to health.

Benefits for Insurers

Health score–based premiums help insurers:

manage risk more accurately
reduce high-cost claims
promote preventive engagement

This supports long-term viability of insurance models.

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Preventive screenings form the backbone of health scoring.

They help track:

metabolic health
cardiovascular risk
nutritional deficiencies

NITI Aayog identifies screening as the most cost-effective health intervention.

Addressing Privacy and Fairness Concerns

Responsible programs ensure:

data confidentiality
voluntary participation
non-discriminatory design

Transparency builds trust and engagement.

Making Health Scores Inclusive

Inclusive programs:

adjust for age and baseline health
reward progress
offer support for high-risk individuals

Equity is essential for success.

Integration with Digital Health Platforms

Digital tools enable:

real-time health tracking
personalised insights
long-term trend monitoring

This improves engagement and accuracy.

Long-Term Impact on Public Health

Widespread adoption of health score incentives can:

reduce lifestyle disease burden
shift focus to prevention
improve population health outcomes

WHO supports incentive-based preventive health strategies globally.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Common challenges include:

low initial engagement
lack of awareness
resistance to change

Solutions involve education, simplicity and continuous support.

Why Lower Premiums Are More Effective Than Penalties

Positive reinforcement:

motivates sustained behaviour change
reduces anxiety
builds trust

Punitive models often discourage participation.

Future of Health Score–Linked Premiums in India

As digital health infrastructure expands, health score–based models are expected to:

become more personalised
integrate AI-driven insights
support nationwide preventive strategies

This marks a shift toward value-based healthcare.

Conclusion

Lower premiums for health score achievers represent a powerful shift toward preventive, value-driven healthcare. By rewarding healthy behaviours, early screening and consistent wellness practices, these programs benefit individuals, employers and insurers alike. Financial incentives aligned with health outcomes encourage long-term behaviour change, reduce disease burden and create a sustainable healthcare ecosystem. In a country facing rising lifestyle diseases, health score–linked premiums are not just an incentive—they are a strategic investment in healthier futures.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Preventive Healthcare and Incentive Models
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease and Prevention
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health Indicators
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Insurance Reform Reports
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Healthcare Cost Studies

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