Staying connected with your health during COVID-19

Valuing your health and your self during the COVID-19 pandemic through the AIA Vitality program.

It’s one of the strange ironies to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic: in striving to stay safe many of us have ended up neglecting our health.

As human beings we seek connection – connections to loved ones, connections to community, connectedness to self. But as we’ve sought to adjust to life under COVID-19, limiting time outside the home and practising social distancing, it’s natural that many of us have had to adapt how we’ve traditionally pursued some of these connections. Not only have we had to curb social interactions and community engagement, both of which can have negative impacts on mental health, but doctors have recently voiced concerns that many Australians have been foregoing visits to their GP due to fears over catching the virus.

At AIA Vitality we believe that the key to living healthier, longer, better lives is knowing more about one’s health and making better lifestyle choices. So while it’s understandable that some people may be looking to put off going for their regular consults during this time, it’s also important that people stay connected to their health.

AIA Vitality members are already eligible to earn AIA Vitality Points by undertaking various health checks and screenings with a qualified health professional. Now, as an added incentive for AIA Vitality members and means of continued support for the Mother’s Day Classic’s fight against breast cancer, we’re going to be donating two dollars to the foundation for every AIA Vitality member who completes a mammogram by the end of this year. 

The Mother’s Day Classic (MDC) is an annual fun run and walk that has been bringing communities in Australia together every Mother’s Day for the past 23 years to support those touched by breast cancer. Since 1998 the event has raised over $37 million in vital funds for breast cancer research, with all proceeds donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. While the national five-year survival rate has increased by 15 per cent since 1994 (from 76 per cent to 91 per cent), eight women on average still die from the disease each day in Australia and almost 20,000 Australians are expected to receive a breast cancer diagnosis this year. It’s statistics like these that reinforce the importance of going for regular health and medical check-ups. 

This year’s Mother’s Day Classic was one with a difference as the event turned virtual due to fears over the spread of COVID-19. As with previous years, tens of thousands of participants nationwide rallied to the cause, taking to local streets and parks to complete four or eight kilometre runs or walks – but many also clocked their routes from the safety of their own private backyards or personal treadmills.

A proud supporter of the Mother’s Day Classic since 2018, AIA Vitality helped participants get moving by creating a special Strava run club with recommended walking and running routes in Australia’s major cities. Over 1,200 participants joined the club, logging an impressive 2,865 hours of activity in the weeks leading up to the event. 

In times like these it’s more important than ever that we all do what we can to stay connected. AIA Vitality’s sponsorship of the Mother’s Day Classic is one initiative that encourages Australians to keep active and be part of something bigger. But caring for one’s health and community must be practised on a regular and ongoing basis if it is to make a meaningful and lasting impact. AIA Vitality members who have undertaken a mammogram can register for the donation by logging into the AIA Vitality app or website. 

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances 

Copyright © 2020 AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861 AFSL 230043). This is general information only, without taking into account factors like the objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances of any individual and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, medical, nutritional, health, fitness or other advice. The source information is current as at 13 March 2020 and may be subject to change.