Four common health measures can help Canadians better understand future health risks, new Manulife report finds

Four common health measures can help Canadians better understand future health risks, new Manulife report finds

As Manulife Vitality marks 10 years in Canada, new insights highlight the power of prevention and small, sustainable actions 

TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canadians are living longer than ever before, but many may spend close to a decade of those additional years managing chronic illness and declining health. A new Manulife report, Within Your Control, explores the growing gap between lifespan and healthspan and the role prevention can play, at any age, in helping Canadians live healthier for longer.

The report identifies four commonly measured indicators of metabolic health – blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and body mass index (BMI) – that are associated with future health risks and can help inform opportunities for prevention. Drawing on a decade of Manulife Vitality experience in Canada, the report also provides insights into how members engage with and improve their health over time.

Among Manulife Vitality members who began with out-of-range biometric results and later completed additional health assessments, 53 per cent moved into the healthy range for cholesterol, 46 per cent for blood pressure, 37 per cent for BMI and 23 per cent for blood glucose.¹

"Canadians are increasingly focused not just on how long they live, but on how well they live," said Paul Savage, Head of Individual Insurance, Manulife Canada. "We believe insurance can play a meaningful role in supporting health and well-being alongside financial protection. The findings highlight the role that greater awareness and preventive action may play in supporting better long-term health outcomes."

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Manulife Vitality in Canada. As the only behavioural insurance program of its kind in Canada, the program has continued to evolve over the past decade, offering members education, tools, incentives and rewards that help them take proactive steps to better understand their health and build healthier habits through small, everyday actions. Available with eligible Manulife insurance products, Manulife Vitality helps Canadians take a more active role in their health.

As part of that evolution, Manulife is introducing two new health resources for Manulife Vitality Plus members²:

• Maven's Menopause & Midlife Health program, available since August to members and their dependents aged 16 and older, provides access to virtual education, coaching, care navigation and specialist guidance related to menopause, midlife health and overall wellness.
• WorldCare's Medical Second Opinion service, now available, connects members facing serious or complex medical conditions with specialists from leading teaching and research hospitals who review diagnoses and treatment plans and provide evidence-based recommendations.

Together, these additions reflect Manulife's commitment to helping Canadians live longer, healthier and more financially secure lives.

Additionally, through the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform, the company continues to advance research, thought leadership and action on prevention, healthy aging and longevity, helping Canadians take a more active role in their long-term health and well-being.

To read Within Your Control, click here.

To learn more about Manulife Vitality, and the growing range of tools, rewards and health supports available to members, please visit Manulife.ca/Vitality.

About Manulife   

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

About Vitality Group
Vitality is a global company operating in the insurance market, with presence in over 35 markets and impacting more than 54 million lives. Vitality transforms insurance markets by integrating technology, actuarial science, and behavioral insights to make people healthier and create shared value for clients, insurers, and society. They have a simple yet powerful core purpose: to make people healthier and enhance and protect their lives, and this is done through a pioneering Shared Value Insurance model, which aligns the interests of individuals, insurers, and society: when people become healthier, everyone benefits.

Media contact
Laura Crochetiere
Manulife Canada
Laura_Crochetiere@manulife.com

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation