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Our body is no longer a mystery to us due to the innovations in science and technology. However, in India, we still like to keep it a mystery. We don’t take time to tend to it or listen to it until it has already started malfunctioning. Either we are too busy keeping up with the fast-paced life, or we are too financially or physically drained to care for it. Either way, like any other machinery, our body also needs to be kept like a well-oiled engine in order to perform and function well.
By putting wellness and proactive care at the forefront, we can prevent it from collapsing. This is where preventive health checkups come in handy; they are a great way to start paying attention to the signs our body tries to give us. Instead of waiting for diseases to strike, we can empower ourselves with frequent monitoring and take effective measures to improve our quality of life.
But who should get a full-body health checkup?
It doesn’t matter if you are a young and healthy individual or have a busy work schedule, or are already managing existing health conditions; a full-body health checkup can provide invaluable insight into your physical state. It can help in early detection and lifestyle management, saving you lots of hassle and future costs of delayed treatment.
Read on as we walk you through the essentials of health checkups and give you a detailed insight into how to go about it. Also, learn how platforms like Onsurity are making preventive healthcare easy and accessible for employees in India.
Also read: Annual Health Checkups for Employees
What Tests Are Covered in a Full-Body Health Checkup?
A full-body health checkup typically includes the following tests:
- Blood profile: Complete blood count, fasting blood sugar, thyroid profile, liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile (cholesterol).
- Urine tests: Basic tools for detecting infections, kidney dysfunction, or metabolic disorders.
- Heart screening: ECG, 2D Echo, TMT (Treadmill Test), or cardiac enzymes.
- Imaging: Chest X-ray and sometimes abdominal or pelvic ultrasound.
- Cancer markers: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) for men, PAP smear, and mammogram for women.
Why Preventive Health Matters More Than Ever?
According to a 2025 report, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 63% of all deaths in India. Most of these deaths are preventable with regular health checkups, making it no longer a luxury but a necessity. In today’s day and age, our jobs keep us tied to a desk, and the food we consume ends up coming out of a highly processed and diluted supply chain. This is a silent epidemic, the aftermath of which is the ever-increasing lifestyle diseases in India.
Investing in preventive health, through regular checkups, screenings, and wellness practices, is the most effective way to protect individuals, families, and organisations from these escalating health risks. Regular monitoring helps with early detection, cost savings, efficient lifestyle management, and brings peace of mind.
Who Should Consider a Full-Body Health Checkup?
Let’s break down the key groups for whom a full-body health checkup is critical:
1. Young Adults (Aged 20–30)
The younger generation in India is perceptibly fit due to their increased focus on physical fitness and movement. However, an increase in physical movement does not keep them away from potential health risks due to their high consumption of processed food, irregular working hours, chronic sleep deprivation, and family health risks. This cohort should get a health checkup at least once a year to identify emerging risks effectively.
2. Middle-Aged Adults (40–60 Years)
The 40s mark the beginning of physical and biological changes in humans that make them vulnerable to certain chronic conditions. A full-body health checkup (twice every year) is generally recommended, with additional screenings for heart disease, cancer, bone density, and vision.
Relevant read: 5 Preventive Health Checkups to Take Before Turning 40
3. Senior Citizens (60+ Years)
Individuals above the age of 60 require dedicated healthcare support due to the challenges that come with aging. Some already suffer from chronic conditions and take medications that require them to undergo frequent checkups and assessments. Frequent testing and monitoring can help improve their quality of life and keep them independent without limiting their day-to-day activities.
4. People with Family History of Chronic Illness
Certain lifestyle diseases come with a genetic predisposition that puts individuals with a family history of chronic illnesses at a high risk of inheriting said conditions. Most medical practitioners advise frequent screenings for these individuals as they can be highly susceptible to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers (breast, colon, prostate), and autoimmune disorders.
5. Individuals with Pre-existing Health Conditions
People with hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, asthma, or any other chronic illness should never skip regular checkups. Frequent assessment can help them keep track of their condition and help them take timely measures against any early warning signals.
6. High-Stress Professionals and Executives
Professionals today face relentless stress, specially in high-stakes leadership roles. Chronic stress can result in high blood pressure, lower immunity, and cholesterol problems. A regular health assessment can keep them on a healthier path of success.
7. People with Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
People who regularly consume alcohol, smoke, and skip exercise fall into a high-risk category. Regular checkups for them can serve as an opportunity to pick up early warning signs and make necessary lifestyle alterations.
8. Women’s Health Considerations
Full-body health checkups may differ for women, as several of the chronic health issues that women face need specialised testing. These tests can include: mammogram, bone density scan, calcium levels, ultrasound, and PAP smear for cervical cancer screening.
Recommended read: 5 Essential Preventive Health Check-Ups for Women
How Often Should You Get a Full-Body Health Checkup?
Recommendations may vary based on personal and family risk factors, so we highly recommend consulting with your physician, as they might recommend more frequent testing or special scans depending on your specific risk factors.
However, here is a general guideline:
- Ages 20–30: Every 2–3 years if healthy. Annually, if you have a family history or unhealthy habits.
- Ages 30–40: Every 1–2 years.
- Ages 40+: Annually.
- Existing conditions: As per the physician’s advice, often every 6–12 months.
Lack of Preventive Healthcare & Regular Health Checkups: Real-Life Impact
1. Early Detection
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, cancers, and chronic lung disease now account for roughly two-thirds of all deaths in India, with a large share occurring prematurely. Early detection via routine health checks is one of the most cost-effective ways to bend this curve.
2. Impact on Families
NCDs and lifestyle diseases don’t just impact individual life; their impact ripples through entire households. In India, where 70% of healthcare spending is still out-of-pocket, a single late-stage diagnosis can destabilise family finances for years.
Studies have shown that catastrophic health expenditures push nearly 55 million Indians into poverty annually, most of it due to hospitalisations for preventable conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Timely intervention can save many households from entering the financial debt trap. Regular health checkups don’t just save lives; they save families, too.
3. Impact on Workplace
Lack of preventive healthcare and well-being among employees can also impact productivity and morale at work. According to a UN report, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer can cost the Indian economy a whopping $6.2 trillion during the 2012-2030 period. These health challenges also pose a significant threat to business growth, adding further to the cost burden and productivity leakages.
Employers who have promoted a culture of preventive care via holistic benefits have seen positive ROI ranging from $1.88 to $6 for every dollar spent, through reduced absenteeism and healthcare costs.
Suggested read: Private Vs Public Hospitalisation Costs in India
Introducing Onsurity Healthcare Benefits for Employees
Onsurity is a health and wellness benefits platform that works with India’s fastest-growing organisations to democratise healthcare and make quality care accessible to all. As more and more organisations are making preventive care a priority and moving beyond insurance, they are also bringing an institutional change in the way individuals perceive health. Traditionally, both individuals and organisations focused solely on reactive healthcare, which was limited to insurance coverage for hospitalisation expenses and medical treatment.
Now, modern workplaces are slowly moving towards holistic care. As individuals become conscious about their overall well-being and fitness goals, their expectations from employers are also evolving. To meet these evolving expectations, employers are partnering with new-age platforms like Onsurity to offer comprehensive healthcare benefits.
Here’s how Onsurity makes preventive healthcare accessible, affordable, and actionable:
1. Health Checkup Benefits
- Wide Network of Partner Labs: Onsurity collaborates with leading diagnostic centers and labs nationwide, ensuring quality and reliability.
- Comprehensive Packages: Members get access to exclusive full-body checkup packages, including all essential blood tests, imaging, and screenings based on risk factors.
- Easy Digital Booking: Checkups can be booked through the Onsurity app, with reminders and scheduling flexibility.
- At-Home Sample Collection: Many packages include the convenience of home visit sample collection – less disruption for employees.
2. Exclusive Offers on Lab Tests
- Discounted Pricing: Members enjoy significant discounts on routine and advanced tests—from lipid profiles to vitamin D to cancer screening and more.
- Everyday Accessibility: Employees can get tested at any time—not just during annual drives—making it easy to track health regularly.
- Instant Digital Reports: Test results are delivered digitally, so employees and their families can review, download, or share with doctors instantly.
3. Teleconsultation Services
- Unlimited/Discounted Teleconsultations: Members can consult with general physicians or specialists such as cardiologists, endocrinologists, and nutritionists directly from their smartphone.
- 24/7 Medical Support: Health doesn’t wait for work hours; Onsurity’s teleconsultations are available at all times.
- Second Opinions and Personalized Care: Access to a network of top doctors enables members to make informed health decisions and get referrals when needed.
4. Empowering Employers and Employees
- Workplace Wellness Programs: Onsurity’s platform allows HR to track employee participation in checkups and wellness activities—no manual admin.
- Regular Health Reminders & Awareness: Wellness newsletters, reminders for tests & doctor visits, and educational workshops motivate employees.
- Family Coverage: Most plans allow employees to add family members, so everyone in the household benefits.
- Boosting Productivity: Healthy employees are high-performing, motivated, and loyal.
Onsurity’s benefits help organisations of all sizes embed preventive healthcare into their company culture, lowering costs, reducing sick days, and improving morale.
Preventive Healthcare in the Modern Workplace: Challenges & Solutions
Challenges
- Lack of Awareness: Many employees don’t even know how regular health checkups can prevent chronic issues until it’s too late.
- Time Pressure: Between juggling work and personal goals, preventive care often becomes an afterthought.
- Financial Concerns: The financial barrier to accessing quality medical care is one of the biggest reasons why many Indian employees do not place a great emphasis on optional routine tests unless they are a part of an employer-sponsored healthcare benefit.
- Access Barriers: Employees working in tier 2 and tier 3 cities or remote locations do not always have access to quality labs and medical professionals.
Solutions Through Corporate Healthcare Platforms
Most healthcare platforms like Onsurity are bridging the healthcare gap by making quality treatment and care accessible and affordable for Indian employees via employer-sponsored insurance and wellness benefits. Here’s how they are solving the issue:
- Making preventive care cashless and affordable in even the remotest locations.
- Bringing the entire healthcare ecosystem into a single unified platform, where from insurance to teleconsultations, from lab testing to digital medical record keeping, everything is easily accessible at the touch of a finger.
- Reminders via email, app notifications, and HR dashboards to ensure that even when you forget about your well-being, we send prompts to fill prescriptions, book tests, or check in with your GP.
- Quality healthcare should not be limited to you, which is why Onsurity also extends coverage to immediate family members, so that everyone gets covered uniformly.
Staying healthy should not feel like a burden but a shared goal between families and teams.
Conclusion: Taking the First Step
A full-body health checkup is an investment in your future, one that should be a part of your self-care and wellness routine regardless of your age, profession, or health status. It is a proactive measure to ensure your long-term health and well-being.
For the modern Indian workforce, it is even more essential given the stress and lifestyle-associated risks. Therefore, an investment in a platform like Onsurity, where healthcare is affordable, accessible, and hassle-free, is highly rewarding. In addition to health checkups, Onsurity also offers discounts on lab tests, online pharmacy, fitness memberships, and dental care.
Registered employees can get 24*7 teleconsultations with India’s top doctors across specialisations. So, no matter how busy life gets, with Onsurity, healthcare is always at the forefront.
Don’t wait for a warning sign. Start your preventive journey now, ask your HR for Onsurity benefits!