Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare is introducing a new health points system to boost preventive care participation. This initiative will reward individuals for activities like getting vaccinated, attending health checkups, or completing cancer screenings. The program aims to motivate people by offering tangible rewards, making preventive care more appealing.
The health points system will launch early next year and focuses on encouraging people to take proactive steps in managing their health. Participants can earn points through both publicly funded and self-paid medical services. These points will then be redeemable for various health-related products or services, such as gym memberships, supplements, or wellness items.
Health Minister Shih Chung-liang emphasized the need for this program due to stagnant cancer screening rates. Despite widespread awareness, many people remain reluctant to participate in screenings. Traditional health messages often highlight long-term benefits, which may feel abstract or distant to many. The health points system aims to offer immediate, practical incentives to overcome this challenge.
The program will initially collaborate with public health entities, including the Centers for Disease Control and the Health Promotion Administration. The government also plans to extend partnerships with organizations like the Ministry of Education and the Sports Administration. This approach seeks to widen participation across different demographics and encourage healthy lifestyles on multiple fronts.
Cancer screening efforts in Taiwan have been ongoing since 2010. These screenings now cover cervical, breast, colorectal, and lung cancers and have reached millions of people. They have successfully detected tens of thousands of precancerous lesions and cancer cases, demonstrating the value of early detection. The health points system builds on these achievements by making preventive care more accessible and rewarding.
Experts highlight that early diagnosis and treatment improve cancer survival rates significantly. By incentivizing screening and vaccinations, Taiwan hopes to reduce healthcare costs in the long term. The government also expects the program to encourage more people to adopt regular health checkups as a routine part of their lives.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to finalize details and monitor the program’s impact closely. Future expansions may involve private sector collaborations to broaden the range of redeemable rewards. The health points system represents a promising step toward fostering a healthier population through prevention rather than treatment.
In summary, Taiwan’s health points system introduces a fresh approach to preventive care. By offering immediate benefits, it seeks to increase participation and improve public health outcomes nationwide.
