Why you should be proactive about your health

Q&A with Dr. Mataroria Lyndon

Many Kiwis tend to put off regular health check-ups until symptoms become severe, creating a reactive rather than proactive approach to wellbeing.  Prioritising prevention and staying on top of our health can significantly improve our collective wellbeing and ease the growing strain on our healthcare system.

Q: Dr. Lyndon, we often hear the term “proactive health” – what exactly does this mean?

“Proactive health is about taking preventative measures to maintain and improve your health before illness or disease develops. It’s a shift from the traditional reactive approach of only seeking medical care when you’re already sick. Think of it like maintaining your car – you wouldn’t wait for the engine to fail before getting a service. The same principle applies to your body.”

Q: Why is being proactive about health so important for Kiwis specifically?

“New Zealand has a health system that’s under increasing pressure. Our population is growing, aging, and facing rising rates of preventable conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. When too many people wait until they’re seriously ill before seeking help, it creates bottlenecks in the system.

Being proactive not only benefits your personal health but also contributes to a more sustainable healthcare system for everyone. Many serious health conditions that we see could have been prevented or managed more effectively if caught earlier.”

Q: What are some key components of a proactive health approach?

“There are several essential elements that we recommend and provide at Tend:

Regular check-ups: Even when you feel fine, annual visits with your GP are important. These appointments allow your care team to monitor your health over time and catch any concerns early. We often recommend doing this checkup around your birthday.

Comprehensive health assessments: Depending on your age and risk factors, you might benefit from a more detailed health assessment that looks at various aspects of your physical and mental wellbeing. We offer Proactive Health Medicals which dive into a lot more detail and give you a complete picture of what is happening on the inside. This is then all shared via our app to help you track your health journey.

Preventative screenings: These include things like cervical smears, mammograms, prostate checks, skin cancer screenings, and bowel cancer screenings. Our care team helps determine which tests are appropriate for you based on your age, gender, family history, and other risk factors.

Vaccinations: Staying up-to-date with recommended vaccines like the annual flu shot, COVID-19 boosters, HPV, childhood immunisations and others appropriate for your age group. Flu vaccines are available from 1st April, and anyone is welcome to book these via the Tend app or simply walk-in to our clinic and get one. 

Key health metrics monitoring: Regular checks of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and body composition can identify trends earlier before they become problems.”

Q: How can busy whānau/families incorporate proactive health practices into their routines?

“I understand that life gets hectic, especially for whānau. Here are some practical tips we recommend:

• Schedule annual check-ups for all your whānau – as mentioned above, do this around their birthday, or at the start of the year, when the medical clinics are not so busy.
• Use technology to your advantage – Tend’s app offers seamless online booking, reminders, and virtual consultations making it super convenient to access healthcare when you need it. 
• Combine appointments where possible – for example, getting your flu vaccine during a regular check-up, which is simple to arrange with Tend’s online booking system. 
• Make health monitoring a family activity – at Tend, we encourage involving your Tamariki (children) in age-appropriate health discussions to set them up for good habits later in life.
• Consider what can be done at home, such as blood pressure monitoring for those with hypertension risk. Tend offers guidance on home monitoring and how to integrate results with your overall care plan.

Q: What are some common barriers that prevent people from taking a proactive approach?

“The main barriers I see are:

• Time constraints: Many people struggle to make or attend health appointments when feeling well.
• Cost concerns: Some preventative services may have associated costs, though many are subsidised.
• Fear or anxiety: Some avoid medical settings due to anxiety about potential findings.
• Lack of symptoms: Without obvious symptoms, it’s easy to postpone health checks.
• Access issues:  Accessing certain services may be challenging due to where you live, hours of availability, cost, or culturally appropriate services.

The key takeaway here is recognising that being more proactive about your health typically requires less time compared to treating conditions once they are more serious.”

Q: What role does nutrition play in proactive health?

“Nutrition is fundamental to proactive health. What we eat directly impacts our immune function, energy levels, mental health, and risk for chronic diseases. Fresh Start’s approach to balanced, nutritious family meals is the type of approach I recommend to patients.

Good nutrition helps maintain healthy weight, supports immune function, provides energy for physical activity, and delivers the nutrients your body needs for optimal function. It’s one of the most powerful daily choices you can make for long-term health.”

Q: As we approach winter, what proactive steps should Kiwis be taking now?

Now is the perfect time to get ahead of winter health challenges.

At Tend, we recommend:

• Booking your annual flu vaccine early at Tend before the winter rush – our efficient vaccination service means minimal waiting time
• Having a general health check-up at to address any concerns before winter illnesses circulate
• Checking that prescriptions for any existing conditions are up-to-date – our Tend app makes prescription renewals straightforward
• Establishing good sleep routines, which are crucial for immune function – our free health coaches can provide advice on improving sleep quality
• Keeping physically active – try to do at least 2.5 hours (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.

By taking these steps now, you’ll not only reduce your family’s risk of winter illnesses but also help alleviate pressure on our healthcare system during its busiest season. Remember that the best time to focus on health is before you have a problem – and that time is now. Tend makes this easy with our app. With the Tend app you can manage your healthcare from the palm of your hand. 

Dr. Mataroria Lyndon is the Director of Population Health and Equity at Tend and a senior lecturer in medical education. He is passionate about preventative healthcare and health equity in Aotearoa

This article is part of Fresh Start’s ongoing commitment to supporting your family’s whole-health journey through nutrition, education, and wellness resources. To book a proactive health appointment, flu vaccine or check-up with Tend, visit tend.nz or download the Tend app. Tend is welcoming new patients at all their clinics.