Incentives to maintain a healthy lifestyle
A government adviser has called for more NHS trusts to offer cash vouchers to people who lead healthy lifestyles.
Professor Julian Le Grand, Chairman of Health England, a body which advises the Government on public health, said financial incentives could have a major impact on reducing smoking, alcohol and obesity rates. *
Some NHS trusts are currently piloting new schemes. In Dundee, smokers are being offered £12.50 for each week that they do not smoke to spend on groceries, providing the money is not used for cigarettes or alcohol.
And in Birmingham, people who exercise regularly are awarded points, which can be exchanged for shopping vouchers or tickets to sporting events.
Both schemes are in their early stages but Professor Le Grand said he would like other trusts to follow this example.
He said: “There is growing evidence that financial incentives work. Smoking is the obvious place to start, but incentives could also be used to tackle obesity and drinking.
“I think it is hard to put the case for offering people cash directly, but vouchers seems a logical way to go.”
Westfield Health has always recognised the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and taking preventative measures to minimise health risks.
Some Westfield health cash plans include a health club concession benefit, which provides policyholders with access to special concessionary deals at a range of UK health and fitness clubs.
Westfield also offers a GP telephone consultation service, which enables policyholders and their resident family members to speak to a fully qualified UK GP at a time of their choice. The GP can discuss all health related issues including exercise and nutrition.
Read more about the Advantage Plan:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/advantage/index.asp
Read more about the Good4you Plan:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/my-westfield/good4you/index.asp
Reference:
*http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7951325.stm
BBC Health News 
UK edition
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