South Africans above the age of 50 are facing an unsettling trend: a surge in suicides surpassing death claims from accidents, according to data from Discovery Life.
Data from the insurer, which paid out R11bn in claims last year, show one in five death claims it received last year was due to unnatural causes, with suicides accounting for an alarming 35% of the claims, followed by car accidents at 23%.
The data underline a deepening crisis that could prompt |policymakers in the health department to revisit and reform mental health intervention strategies, disburse additional funds for early diagnosis and treatment and push through measures to address the root causes of mental distress.
“The data also emphasise the importance of taking mental health concerns seriously, as well as fostering a culture of better driving on SA roads,” said Maritha van der Walt, Discovery Life’s chief medical officer.
A deep dive into the suicide data reveals grim details: 45% of unnatural claims for 41—60 year olds were from suicides in the year under review, and 35% for all ages.
About half of the deaths in the 51-60 age group were attributed to suicide.
The total claims due to suicide for individuals older than 50 increased 62% last year compared to the five-year average.
The report touches on related issues in the wider health sector. Data from its sister company, Discovery Health Medical Scheme, SA’s largest open medical scheme, shows that 63% of claimants who were members of Discovery Health were registered as having been diagnosed with depression, anxiety or bipolar mood disorder conditions.
Growing demand
Bestmed Medical Scheme, SA’s fourth-largest open medical scheme, last year told Business Day that it has seen growing demand for mental health services, alongside an increased prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, resulting in rising claims.
SA is said to have the third highest suicide rate in Africa, with men in SA much more likely to die by suicide than women, by about four times.
The Discovery Life data also shows that cancer continues to be the leading cause of death among women.
“The 2024 claims data shows that cancer was the highest cause of death for women (35%). It was also the most common severe illness for both women and men (51% and 37%, respectively), and the most common cause of disability among both women and men (34% and 30%, respectively),” the company said.
Cancer claims accounted for the lion’s share of Discover Life’s severe illness cover, with breast cancer accounting for 41% of cancer among women, while prostate cancer accounts for 35% of cancer among men.
Melanoma, one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer, accounted for the third largest cause in terms of the amount paid in 2024.
Discovery Health has flagged the increase in chronic conditions alongside the cost of technology in the healthcare sector as among the factors that were pushing up medical inflation.
According to the company’s data, beneficiaries with chronic conditions have risen from 15.8% in 2008 to 33.1% in 2024.
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