Taiwanese health officials are encouraging those aged 30 and over to take advantage of a free health check covered under the country's national health insurance. Till 2024 this facility was only available to those aged 40 and above.
According to the Taiwanese Ministry of Health and Welfare, chronic diseases account for 60% of Taiwan’s top ten causes of death and constitute a major portion of health insurance expenses.
Health checkups can detect asymptomatic issues early and encourage young people to build regular checkup habits to manage their health proactively. This year's programme includes a new uric acid test to address its growing prevalence as a chronic disease risk factor.
Results from a 2019 to 2023 ministry of health survey showed that around 10% of respondents in their thirties have high blood pressure, 2.5% high blood sugar, and 19% high cholesterol.
This new move by the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) would benefit an estimated 3.2m people between 30 and 40.
Those aged 40 to 65 are to continue to be eligible for one free health checkup every three years, while those over 65 are already eligible for yearly checkups, also offered to indigenous people over 55 and polio patients aged 35 and over according to HPA sources.
The payment for each checkup has also been increased from TWD520 to TWD880 to enable healthcare providers to expand services, he said.
Treatment of conditions related to the “three highs” — high blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels — with current cost would benefit an estimated 3.2m people between 30 and 40.
The checkups would help patients who appear healthy to spot abnormalities early and begin preventative treatment before the onset of chronic disease, as well as enable young people to get a better understanding of their health and get into the habit of regular checkups.
From 2025 healthcare services are being upgraded to offer chronic disease risk assessments, kidney disease testing and educational information related to a balanced diet and getting 150 minutes of exercise per week.