We are living longer but unfortunately, we aren’t that healthy if the medical evidence is anything to go on things are not looking great at all! There is no doubt that when faced with a medical crisis there is no better place to be than in the hands of our modern medical system. It’s unlikely anybody reading this would not have experienced that brilliant and often lifesaving safety net we call ‘modern medicine’.

The problem is that our healthcare system has become a chronic disease management system. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 70 per cent of chronic degenerative diseases are caused by diet and lifestyle, which includes the environment in which we live those lives. That could be an underestimation, and those diseases are largely preventable.

First some disturbing facts. Cancer and heart disease are still the major killer, with one in two men and one in three women being diagnosed with cancer by 65. Disturbingly, even allowing for increased life span, the incidence of cancer, including children under 19, has increased by almost 30 per cent since 1975.

Diabetes, obesity and mental health disorders are on the rise and affecting people at an ever-younger age. There are now over 80 autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis, under or over active thyroid, coeliac, Alzheimer’s to name a few. This is basically the body attacking itself.

The key strategies to deal with this look after yourself. Diet and exercise are critical in dealing with many modern ailments. Make sure you also have an annual check-up with your GP. Other than this health insurance and trauma insurance can offer financial protection to you and your loved ones:

Trauma insurance cover or critical illness insurance provides a lump sum of money to cover immediate medical expenses and other financial needs when a critical illness or injury occurs. Trauma cover pays a agreed amount to cover you for many different health issues. A serious illness or injury causes more than just physical and emotional turmoil – it has the potential to cause severe disruption to your finances as well. While income protection helps to replace a portion of your income when you cannot work due to illness or injury, it’s useful to have a lump sum of money to cover your immediate medical and financial needs. This is where trauma insurance comes into its own. So you can get on with recovering and getting on with life, without worrying too much about your finances.

Health Insurance: Health insurance is a type of insurance that helps cover the cost of medical and surgical expenses. In Australia, the public health system Medicare, which is a Commonwealth Government funded program, covers most Australian residents for health care. However, Medicare does not cover everything, and you can choose to take out a private health insurance policy in order to give yourself a wider range of health care options and more comprehensive cover. Health insurance is offered in two forms as hospital and allied or ancillary health benefits.

Disclaimer

This information is current as at 09/11/18. This article has been prepared by Heart1Stop, a social media brand owned by Heart Mortgage Services and Heart Financial Advisers. The information contained in this article is an overview or summary only and it should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter nor relied upon as such. The views expressed here are not those of Heart1stop, Heart Mortgage Services, Heart Financial Advisers, shareholders, directors or staff and associated contractors and business associates. This article has been prepared without taking into account any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, you should, before acting on any information contained in this article, consider its appropriateness, having regard to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Any taxation information contained in this article is a general statement and should only be used as a guide. It does not constitute taxation advice and is based on current laws and their interpretation. Each individual’s situation may differ, and you should seek independent professional taxation advice on any taxation matters. While the information contained in this article may contain or be based on information obtained from sources believed to be reliable, it may not have been independently verified. Where information contained in this publication contains material provided directly by third parties it is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be accurate at its issue date. It is not the intention of Heart1Stop or Heart Mortgage Services and Heart Financial Advisers that this publication be used as the primary source of readers’ information but as an adjunct to their own resources and training. To the maximum extent permitted by law: no guarantee, representation or warranty is given that any information or advice in this publication is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for any purpose; and no party of Heart1Stop or associated entities as mentioned is in any way liable to you (including for negligence) in respect of any reliance upon such information. This article may also contain links to websites operated by third parties ("Third Parties") who are not related to Heart1Stop. These links are provided for convenience only and do not represent any endorsement or approval by us.