Canadian life expectancy continues to climb, yet a significant gap remains between how long individuals live and how many of those years are spent in good health.
According to a report from Manulife Canada titled Within Your Control, many Canadians may spend nearly a decade of their later years managing chronic illness and declining physical well-being. The findings focus on four core metabolic markers — blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and body mass index (BMI) — identifying them as critical indicators for assessing future health risks and guiding early intervention strategies.
Drawing on data from Manulife Vitality, the carrier’s behavioral wellness initiative, the report illustrates how continuous member engagement can positively influence biometric measures over time. Among policyholders who initially presented with out-of-range health metrics and later underwent repeat assessments, 53% brought their cholesterol levels into a healthy range, while 46% achieved normal blood pressure readings. Furthermore, 37% of participants moved into a healthy BMI category, and 23% brought their blood glucose into a healthy target zone.
Paul Savage, head of individual insurance at Manulife Canada, noted that Canadians are shifting their focus toward maintaining quality of life alongside overall longevity. He emphasized that life insurance can extend beyond pure financial risk transfer to actively support long-term wellness alongside traditional income protection.
The report comes as Manulife marks 10 years since introducing its behavioral insurance platform to the Canadian market. Designed to incentivize small, daily health habits, the program provides policyholders with education, tracking tools, and financial rewards as they take proactive steps to improve their health.
To expand its member resources, Manulife has added two specialized health services for Vitality Plus members. The first addition, Maven’s Menopause & Midlife Health Program, is available to members and dependents aged 16 and older to offer virtual coaching, care navigation, and specialist support tailored to midlife health.
The second feature, WorldCare’s Medical Second Opinion Service, provides policyholders facing complex diagnoses with direct access to medical specialists from leading research and teaching institutions for comprehensive treatment reviews.
Additionally, the carrier continues to support broader longevity initiatives through the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global platform dedicated to advancing research, public advocacy, and community investment focused on healthy aging.
