10 min read
March 2026
The Pareto Principle in healthcare: How the top 1% of claimants account for 33% of Discovery Health Medical Scheme claims costs
A small share of members drives a large share of costs. This analysis shows how the top 1% of Discovery Health Medical Scheme claimants account for 33% of claims spend, driven by age, multimorbidity and intensive hospital care.
10 min read
January 2026
Young members are engaged in their health but also increasingly at risk: What medical scheme data tells us about youth health trends in 2025
South Africa's youth are taking charge of their health, while also dealing with evolving health risks. From proactively getting their health checks done to rising chronic disease trends, discover how young Discovery Health Medical Scheme members are engaging with their health and wellbeing, and shaping a healthier future for themselves.
10 min read
November 2025
Celebrating HIV mortality improvements for HIV -registered members on Discovery Health Medical Scheme
Long-term mortality rates among HIV-registered members on Discovery Health Medical Scheme have significantly improved, largely due to consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy, effective viral load suppression and care support. These developments highlight emerging challenges from non-communicable diseases requiring continued focus on holistic care.
10 min read
October 2025
Part 1 of 3: Thirteen year longitudinal analysis of mental health condition trends among Discovery Health Medical Scheme members
In this comprehensive, three-part series, we explore key trends in Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) members living with a mental health condition. The review spans a 13-year period from 2012 to 2024. Here, in part one, we show that the prevalence and incidence of mental health conditions have increased in DHMS. We explain how we identify this population in our data, and how mental health condition prevalence is growing relative to other chronic conditions.
10 min read
October 2025
Part 2 of 3: Thirteen year longitudinal analysis of mental health condition trends among Discovery Health Medical Scheme members, focusing on population health
In this second article of our three part series, we continue to unpack the trends in mental health conditions among Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) members. In part one, we looked at the rise in prevalence and incidence of mental health conditions and the relationship with chronic conditions. This article considers the unique opportunities for managing mental health based on the demographics of members living with these conditions.
10 min read
October 2025
Part 3 of 3: Thirteen year longitudinal analysis of mental health condition trends among Discovery Health Medical Scheme members, focusing on condition severity and support
"This is the concluding article of our three part series highlighting key mental health condition trends among Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS)" members showing trends in the severity of symptoms in the depression population, as well as the support available to members who are at risk or who have been diagnosed with the condition. It is encouraging to observe that members taking part in these programmes have shown improvements in their PHQ 9 scores and reduced severity of their symptoms.
15 min read
August 2025
Discovery Health Medical Scheme's 'youngest' and 'oldest' centenarian members (110 people in 2025) are remarkably healthy!
As of May 2025, Discovery Health Medical Scheme had 110 centenarian members: 31 'oldest' centenarians, aged from 102 to 105, and 79 'youngest' centenarians, aged 100 or 101. It's remarkable how well they compare to much younger members when it comes to chronic disease levels, admission rates and other areas reviewed.
15 min read
28 July 2025
How healthy is our nation? Comparing disease prevalence among medical scheme members and the broader population in South Africa
Using 2023 GHS data, we compare disease prevalence (across diabetes, hypertension, asthma, HIV and AIDS, and cancer) in people with and without medical scheme cover in South Africa. The findings show key differences in the way that disease affects each group, and highlight how medical scheme membership supports access to care.
15 min read
16 April 2025
NEJM Catalyst publishes study: "Improving diabetes care in South Africa through a shared-value model"
A Discovery Health study exploring the implementation and outcomes of the Discovery Health Diabetes Shared-Value Programme has been published in the prestigious NEJM Catalyst. This research looks at increasing quality of care and lowering costs associated with type 2 diabetes.
10 min read
02 April 2025
Pregnancy and birth rates higher than global benchmarks for medical scheme members funding infertility treatment through the DHMS 'Assisted Reproductive Therapy Benefit'
Discovery Health Medical Scheme members who have funded their infertility treatment through the Scheme's Assisted Reproductive Therapy Benefit show higher pregnancy and birth rates than international benchmarks.
8 min read
20 March 2025
14-year review of cancer screening rates: How have breast, prostate, cervical and colorectal cancer screening rates risen by 2024
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine cancer screenings. How do screening rates compare before and after the pandemic? We examined data from 2011 to 2024 on breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer screenings, uncovering key insights into which rates returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 2024, and which did not.
15 min read
11 March 2025
New study: How does regular physical activity before a stage 1 cancer diagnosis affect how the cancer progresses and the chances of survival?
A new observational study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, provides compelling evidence that regular physical activity before a cancer diagnosis may play a part in reducing the risk of disease progression and mortality.
6 min read
20 January 2025
Seeing clearly: How have cataract surgery rates increased over the last decade for members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme?
Cataract surgeries are the most common procedure for Discovery Health Medical Scheme members. With nearly 30,000 procedures performed in 2023 and a 6.2% annual increase in cataract surgeries since 2013, this article explores the impact of an ageing membership on the demand for cataract surgery and how likely one is to have cataract surgery in one's lifetime.
Access our content
In-depth analysis of the pandemic, vaccines landscape, and related context.
We unpack a wide range of health conditions through a data-driven lens.
Understand how healthy living impacts healthcare outcomes.
Explore a range of factors that shape the healthcare value chain.
Journal publications & Awards
Explore research done by Discovery Health's 'Health Intelligence team' which has been published in prestigious local and international journals. Much of this research has been done in collaboration with leading local scientists.
Read moreNewsroom
Where our analyses represent content that's immediately in the public interest, we publish our posts along with corresponding media releases. Explore these releases here.
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Meet the team behind Discovery Health's Insights
Discovery Health's dedicated Health Intelligence Team consists of actuaries, actuarial analysts, data scientists, data analysts, doctors, and computer programmers. Our team's ability to make sense of health-related data is key to understanding the fast-changing healthcare landscape. Think of us as existing to "Create intelligence for a healthier tomorrow."
What do we mean by "intelligence"?
We have a significant amount of data at our disposal. In fact, this equates to petabytes of data (where a petabyte is 250 bytes of data, and 1,024 terabytes make up a single petabyte). This data relate to close on four million Discovery Health Administered Medical Scheme members' clinical health records, and span elements as wide-ranging as disease registrations, hospital and medicine authorization requests, healthcare provider billing and diagnosis-related information.
We create measurement tools that that make sense of this complex data landscape. This includes designing, creating and maintaining clinical algorithms and classification systems that explain healthcare demand and supply patterns, automating regular reports, and addressing new and unique business questions in a customised, creative way.
What do we mean by "for a healthier tomorrow"?
All our work is goes into supporting Discovery Health's role as South Africa's leading medical scheme administrator and managed care organisation. This, to achieve the highest possible value for our client medical schemes and their members, and to ensure sustainable, affordable access to high-quality healthcare for as many people as possible in our country. We also work to expand understanding of healthcare dynamics on a local and global scale, often contributing to important research and publications.
Access our content
In-depth analysis of the pandemic, vaccines landscape, and related context.
We unpack a wide range of health conditions through a data-driven lens.
Understand how healthy living impacts healthcare outcomes.
Explore a range of factors that shape the healthcare value chain.
CEO Discovery Health
Dr Ron Whelan
The Discovery Group was founded by actuaries, and we have grown to become one of the largest employers of actuaries in the country. Everything in our business is measured. And, we use the data generated to strategise, stay ahead of trends and plan accordingly, continually trying to extract the maximal value proposition for our services. During the COVID-19 period, our Discovery Health Intelligence Team performed ongoing studies and analyses of multiple aspects of the pandemic, with the sole focus of understanding the depth and breadth of we could do to enhance and protect lives - our customers' lives and society at large. COVID-19 was a novel disease. So, every insight generated was useful in better understanding the pandemic, and aligning our services and solutions to the context at hand. Over time, our Health Intelligence team broadened its investigations to include a host of health-related themes. We are excited to openly share our analyses and findings with the public through the Discovery Health Insights Hub, and to continue to provide a credible and robust set of analytics, both to enhance dialogue and provide rational considered material for further consideration.
Access our content
In-depth analysis of the pandemic, vaccines landscape, and related context.
We unpack a wide range of health conditions through a data-driven lens.
Understand how healthy living impacts healthcare outcomes.
Explore a range of factors that shape the healthcare value chain.
15 min read
16 April 2025
NEJM Catalyst publishes study: "Improving diabetes care in South Africa through a shared-value model"
15 min read
11 March 2025
New study: How does regular physical activity before a stage 1 cancer diagnosis affect how the cancer progresses and the chances of survival?
15 min read
15 October 2024
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety journal publishes research on vaccine pharmacovigilance in South Africa
10 min read
23 August 2024
SAMJ published research on 13-year review of mortality rates among Discovery Health Medical Scheme members
10 min read
20 January 2023
SAMJ Publication: Analysis confirms COVID-19 disrupted private healthcare in South Africa
12 min read
24 October 2022
British Journal of Sports Medicine publication: COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness significantly higher in people who exercise regularly
4 min read
20 September 2022
NEJM publication: Need for regular Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to maintain effectiveness against serious COVID-19 illness caused by Omicron BA.1/2 and BA.4/5
13 min read
18 May 2022
2 doses of the J&J or 2 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine? New research out of South Africa reveals they're equally effective against serious illness caused by the Omicron variant.
13 min read
26 April 2022
Discovery Health contributes key control group to first at-scale, real-world study of J&J COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness (published in Lancet journal)
13 min read
25 March 2022
New (updated) analysis confirms early insights into Omicron variant's lowered tendency towards serious illness
5 min read
10 February 2022
New study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine: Exercise protects against serious COVID-19 outcomes
7 min read
14 December 2021
Encouraging preliminary data shows Omicron less likely to cause serious illness than past, dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants
3 min read
7 September 2021
Using pulse oximeters could reduce likelihood of COVID-19 death
5 min read
08 October 2021
Discovery Health awarded prestigious Johns Hopkins University Starfield Award for second time
12 min read
24 October 2022
British Journal of Sports Medicine publication: COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness significantly higher in people who exercise regularly
3 min read
14 December 2021
Discovery Health, South Africa's largest private health insurance administrator, releases at-scale, real-world analysis of Omicron outbreak based on 211 000 COVID-19 test results in South Africa, including collaboration with the South Africa
5 min read
4 November 2021