What did my Personal Health Pathways recommend as my next best health action?

I am 49 and a member of Discovery Health Medical Scheme. I am a healthy, active mom of three sons - aged 5 to 20 - and I'm preparing to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in 2027.

When, in late 2025, my Personal Health Pathway recommended I go for a cervical cancer screening (in this case, a pap smear) as my next best health action, I didn't expect anything unusual from the results.

To my surprise, the screening results showed that I had an active human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which was the last thing I would have expected.

How did I respond to my HPV diagnosis?

I received prompt treatment for the infection and now I go for regular follow-up consultations with my gynaecologist.

My doctor also said I may need to have the HPV vaccine in the future.

If I hadn't gone for the cervical cancer screening, the condition could have been much more serious by the time I eventually got checked or developed symptoms.

What is HPV and how does HPV screening prevent cervical cancer?

Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical Officer for Discovery Health explains, "HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common viral infection. According to Mayo Clinic, there are more than 100 types of HPV. Some types of HPV cause skin growths called warts, and other types of HPV infection can cause cancer. HPV causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer - and this form of cancer can take 20 years or more to develop after an initial infection."

"HPV infections and early-stage cervical cancer often have no symptoms, making regular screening essential to detect early changes in the cervix before they progress to more serious conditions, such as cancer."

"A host of screening and prevention benefits are provided on all Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) plans. These include screening for certain cancers at set intervals, depending on your risk level."

Cervical cancer screening includes one pap smear every three years. Members who are at high risk, such as those living with HIV or those who have had abnormal Pap smear results in the past, have access to yearly screenings.

Alternatively, a human papillomavirus (HPV) test can be done every five years or every three years for those at high risk.

When did I first start using Personal Health Pathways?

I first saw Personal Health Pathways on my Discovery Health app soon after the platform launched in January 2025.

It was incredible to see that, as a Discovery Health Medical Scheme member, I had access to a world-leading tool designed to give me next best actions based on my unique health status and physical activity levels. Going for my cervical cancer screening was the first next best action I completed.

Since then, I have followed through on several next best actions, from gynaecology follow-up consultations to eye and dental checkups and completing my yearly health check.

How do I stay active through my Pathway?

Now I look forward to seeing what next best actions appear - especially the physical activity ones! They keep me motivated to stay consistently active. During the week, I walk a lot and climb stairs. On weekends, I do indoor cycling.

And now a dream I've had for years is becoming a reality: in October 2027, I'll be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. After overcoming health challenges in the past, I'm focused on the future and excited to take on this goal.

What rewards have I earned through Personal Health Pathways?

I am always excited to see money going into my Personal Health Fund when I complete a next best action. The best part is that these funds have paid for things like my prescription medicine and even my eye examination, which was also a next best action that earned me additional rewards.

It's such a relief to have those costs covered without touching my medical savings account - especially with three children in the family who can have medical expenses at any stage, making access to our Medical Savings Account funds key.

Receiving my first once-off boost reward this year was especially meaningful. It came at exactly the right time and helped me pay for essential prescription medicine when I really needed it. I was incredibly grateful for the difference it made.

I really see value in Personal Health Pathways and the Personal Health Fund. Getting rewarded for staying healthy is a big motivator. I've also been earning Discovery Miles along the way, and I'm saving them to buy myself running shoes.

What difference has Personal Health Pathways made to Bets's daily life?

Bets lives independently, drives (but not at night), and leads a healthy lifestyle. She takes no chronic medicine and has no major health risk factors.

Aminda and her family made sure her mom had all the tools to succeed: daily-use apps on her phone's primary screen, facial recognition for easy login, and plenty of positive encouragement.

"The exercise means I'm sleeping better, I have more appetite, and I feel more energised," Bets says. "And I love seeing my new weekly exercise goals on the Personal Health Pathways section of my Discovery Health app each Saturday when my exercise goal resets."

"She's a quick learner and uses WhatsApp and online banking with ease," Aminda says. "But it's Personal Health Pathways that's given her a renewed sense of self-worth."

Bets adds, "I want to inspire others in their 70s and 80s. It's easier than you think to use the apps and digital health platforms, and feel in control of your health."

What have I learned about my health through this experience?

Personal Health Pathways has changed the way I think about my health. I don't take it for granted anymore. When I see a next best action, I take it to heart and make sure I follow through. I want to live a healthy and long life.

Personal Health Pathways also creates awareness: it's given me a better understanding of what I need to do to protect my health before any serious conditions develop. It has taught me that looking after my health is about more than just feeling well. When I was diagnosed with HPV, I felt strong, fit and healthy - pretty invincible really. My experience showed me that some health conditions can develop without obvious symptoms and reminded me how important preventive screenings are.

Today, I take a more proactive approach to my health. I feel empowered to look after myself and pursue goals I once only dreamed about - including summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in 2027.

What would I say to other Discovery Health Medical Scheme members?

Following my experience, I encourage other Discovery Health Medical Scheme members to engage with their Personal Health Pathways.

I recommend activating Personal Health Pathways to every Discovery Health Medical Scheme member I know. It's so helpful and potentially lifesaving.

My advice is simple: Don't wait until something feels wrong. Make time for your regular health screenings and check-ups. Early detection can make all the difference, and your future self will thank you for it.

What is Personal Health Pathways? What is the Personal Health Fund?

Personal Health Pathways is a free tool available to adult DHMS members via the Discovery Health app. It provides personalised, real-time health recommendations based on each member's unique profile. As a member's health journey evolves, so does their pathway, continuously updating based on their specific health status, risk profile and engagement patterns and dynamically adjusting as new health data become available.

Personal Health Pathways combines artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and behavioural science. The platform uses more than 50 million life-years of health claims and clinical data, along with nearly 30 million life-years of exercise and lifestyle data gathered through Vitality in South Africa, to recommend actions that have the greatest potential to improve health outcomes.

Each member's Personal Health Pathways cycle provides up to two clinical actions (which must be completed by a set date, and can be deferred to a later deadline) and one weekly exercise goal (which, for Vitality members, is the same as their weekly Vitality Active Rewards Goal). Members can also choose to take on challenges. Challenges are exciting, goal-driven health journeys (from Better Health Challenges to Move More and Sleep Well challenges which run over a few weeks), each made up of simple, actionable steps, designed to help you build healthy habits and achieve meaningful results.

Members who complete their health actions and achieve their weekly exercise goals earn rewards (through Discovery Health) for engaging, including shopping vouchers, Discovery Miles and instant rewards. Those Scheme members who are also Vitality members earn personalised rewards through Personal Health Pathways in addition to their Vitality rewards.

Members also earn up to R500 into their Personal Health Fund (through Discovery Health Medical Scheme) for each completed action. The funds accumulated in the Personal Health Fund can be used for day-to-day medical expenses, including GP and specialist consultations, medicine, radiology and pathology. In 2026, you can earn up to R12,000 per policy in the Personal Health Fund, depending on your chosen plan. You can also earn up to R500 for each recommended Personal Health Pathway action you complete, up to a maximum of R3,000 per adult and R1,500 per child.