Two out of three Canadians want to be rewarded for healthy behaviour  

• Manulife Par increases access to Manulife Vitality for everyday Canadians
• Data reveals 68% of Canadians believe insurance companies should focus more on preventative health measures

May 2, 2023

Toronto – Manulife became the first life insurer in Canada to launch a whole life insurance plan that rewards individuals for taking steps to improve their health, responding to consumers’ rising demand for their insurance companies to focus more on preventative health measures.  Manulife expanded its industry-leading behavioural insurance program, Manulife Vitality, to its core product line, Manulife Par, increasing the access to Manulife Vitality for everyday Canadians to help people live longer, healthier, better lives.  

Our latest consumer data* reveals that 68% of Canadians believe insurance companies should focus more on preventative health measures, and two in three want to be rewarded for their healthy behaviours,” says Paul Savage, Head, Individual Insurance, Manulife Canada. “Many Canadians have fundamentally shifted their attitudes toward essential life priorities such as health and wealth, and they’re turning to Manulife to make their decisions easier and their lives better,” he adds.

The pandemic had a significant effect on Canadians’ health and wellness and prompted nearly half (48%) of them to realize the importance of preventative healthcare. Meanwhile, three out of five Canadians (61%) declared they changed their lifestyle in some way due to the pandemic with eating/cooking healthy, walking or running and improving sleep habits top the list of activities people have introduced or recently increased since 2020.

Manulife launched its Vitality program during 2016 to take a proactive interest in our customers' well-being. The program has helped tens of thousands of Canadians improve their overall health through this science and technology-based program that provides tools, resources, education, and rewards to people for the everyday steps they are taking to live longer and better lives. Together, this unlocks the shared value of healthier people and communities with stronger businesses over the long term.

Recent data also shows that advisors for Manulife Vitality have achieved differentiation both from their peers and among life insurance consumers as half of Manulife Vitality customers indicated the program makes them more likely to recommend their advisor. 

For more information on how you can benefit from the Manulife Vitality program, visit Manulife.ca/Vitality.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2022, we had more than 40,000 employees, over 116,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 34 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

About Vitality

Guided by a core purpose of making people healthier, Vitality is the leader in improving health to unlock outcomes that matter. By blending industry-leading smart tech, data, incentives, and behavioral science, we inspire healthy changes in individuals and organizations. As one of the largest wellness companies in the world, Vitality brings a dynamic and diverse perspective through successful partnerships with the most forward-thinking insurers and employers. More than 30 million people in 40 markets engage in the Vitality program. For more information, visit vitalitygroup.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media contact:

Odette Coleman 

Manulife 

416-819-6938 

* Online omnibus survey conducted between March 29 – April 7, 2023

Vitality is a trademark of Vitality Group International Inc. and is used by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and its affiliates under license.

Manulife, Manulife & Stylized M Design, and Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license.

Manulife, Manulife Investment Management, Stylized M Design, and Manulife Investment Management & Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license.