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Critical illnesses are not something to consider only later in life. Lifestyle, family history, existing health conditions, and everyday habits can also influence risk during your productive years. In addition to maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and having health checks, financial preparation is also important. Critical illness insurance can be considered to help manage the financial impact of conditions covered by the policy.
Have you ever felt too young to think about critical illness? Perhaps your days are still busy, your body feels fit, and you have no significant health complaints. When you feel healthy, health screenings and preparation for potential health risks can easily fall to the bottom of the priority list.
Serious illnesses are not solely associated with age. A person's health can be influenced by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. WHO also emphasizes that noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases can affect people across all age groups. Tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, harmful alcohol consumption, and air pollution can also increase the risk.
Global data shows why these risks should not be viewed as an issue affecting only older people. According to WHO, around 18 million deaths from noncommunicable diseases in 2021 occurred before the age of 70. Around 82% of these premature deaths occurred in low and middle income countries. Cardiovascular diseases accounted for the largest share, followed by cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
In Indonesia, the risk also deserves attention. A Ministry of Health report states that noncommunicable diseases accounted for around 64.4% of all deaths in Indonesia in 2021, with ischemic heart disease and stroke among the major contributors. Meanwhile, the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey recorded a hypertension prevalence of 29.2% based on blood pressure measurements among people aged 15 and above, far higher than the 8% prevalence based on a doctor's diagnosis. This difference indicates that some people may have high blood pressure without previously being aware of it.
Stroke does not affect only older people. Indonesia's Ministry of Health notes that stroke is now also found among people of productive age. Nationally, the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey recorded a stroke prevalence of 8.3 per 1,000 people, and stroke remains one of the leading causes of disability and death in Indonesia.
Paying attention to critical illness risks from a young age does not mean living in fear that these conditions will definitely occur. Instead, your productive years can be a good time to build healthy habits, understand your family health history, undergo appropriate health checks, and start preparing for unexpected possibilities.
By understanding risks earlier, we have more opportunities to protect our health while preparing for other possible impacts of a serious health condition, including changes to daily activities, work, and financial needs.
Being in your productive years can make health feel like something you can think about later. Yet this is often the stage when people are actively working, building careers, pursuing financial goals, and beginning to have dependents. If a serious illness occurs, the impact can extend far beyond health alone.
Health risks do not suddenly appear when someone reaches older age. Habits developed while young, such as physical inactivity, an unbalanced diet, smoking, insufficient sleep, and prolonged stress, can contribute to health risks. Family history and existing health conditions also deserve attention.
Young adulthood can therefore be an opportunity to identify risk factors and build healthier habits early.
Work, commuting, deadlines, social activities, and family responsibilities can make the schedules of Gen Z and Millennials very busy. As a result, exercise, adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and even health checks may not always be a priority.
Feeling fit can also make someone think that health checks are unnecessary. However, some risk factors, such as high blood pressure, can develop without obvious symptoms.
When a serious illness occurs, a person may need treatment, regular medical follow ups, or a lengthy recovery period. This can change daily routines and affect the ability to work as usual.
For Gen Z and Millennials who are building their careers, these changes can affect work, income, and plans for the future.
Medical expenses are not the only financial consequence that may arise. During treatment or recovery, everyday living costs, installment payments, transportation expenses, and family needs may continue.
At the same time, certain health conditions may require a person to reduce their activities or temporarily stop working. This means expenses may increase while the ability to earn an income decreases.
Paying attention to critical illness from a young age does not mean assuming that illness will definitely happen. Instead, it provides more time to focus on the things that can still be managed.
Serious illnesses are not something to consider only when entering older age. Several noncommunicable diseases that represent a major health burden in Indonesia are associated with risk factors that can develop from a young age. Indonesia's Ministry of Health highlights heart disease, stroke, cancer, and kidney disease among the major noncommunicable diseases requiring attention.
Heart disease is becoming increasingly important to consider from a young age. In 2025, Indonesia's Ministry of Health specifically warned that heart attacks are also found among people aged 20 to 40. Physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, smoking, and various metabolic factors can contribute to increased risk. Being young and feeling fit should therefore not be a reason to overlook heart health.
Stroke is no longer associated only with older people. Indonesia's Ministry of Health notes that stroke is increasingly found among people of productive age. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, stroke prevalence in Indonesia reached 8.3 per 1,000 people. Hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, heart disease, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and alcohol consumption are among the risk factors that can play a role.
Cancer remains a serious disease with a significant burden in Indonesia. In 2025, Indonesia's Ministry of Health stated that around 400,000 new cancer cases are detected each year in Indonesia, with approximately 240,000 deaths. The number of cases is projected to increase by more than 70% by 2050 if prevention and early detection efforts are not strengthened.
Cancer risk varies by type and can be influenced by many factors, including age, genetics, lifestyle, certain infections, and environmental exposures.
Kidney disease also deserves attention because it often causes no obvious symptoms in its early stages. Hypertension and diabetes are among the conditions that can contribute to chronic kidney disease. If the damage progresses to an advanced stage, patients may require kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis or transplantation.
Diabetes is increasingly relevant among people of productive age. In 2025, Indonesia's Ministry of Health stated that around one in ten people in Indonesia has diabetes and warned that if obesity trends continue, the age of diabetes onset could shift from the 50s to the 30s.
Diabetes is also important to monitor because it can increase the risk of various complications, including cardiovascular disease and kidney problems.
Health risks differ from person to person and cannot be assessed based on age alone. Genetics, existing health conditions, the environment, and everyday habits can interact and influence the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease.
Some factors cannot be changed, such as age and family history. Others can be managed through lifestyle changes and health monitoring.
A family history of certain diseases can increase a person's risk of developing similar conditions. For example, family history can be relevant when considering the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Having a family history does not mean someone will definitely develop the same disease. However, this information can help determine whether earlier screening or health monitoring should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Regularly consuming foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat, as well as heavily processed foods, can contribute to several risk factors for noncommunicable diseases.
In contrast, a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruit, protein sources, and appropriate carbohydrate sources can help support healthy body weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
A sedentary lifestyle or spending too much time sitting is increasingly relevant for Gen Z and Millennials, particularly those who spend long hours working in front of a computer.
WHO identifies physical inactivity as a risk factor that can increase the likelihood of developing noncommunicable diseases. Regular physical activity can help support heart health, body weight, blood pressure, and metabolism.
Tobacco use is one of the major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. Smoking is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and various types of cancer.
The risk is not limited to direct smoking. Exposure to secondhand smoke should also be avoided. Quitting smoking is an important step toward reducing health risks.
Alcohol consumption also deserves attention. WHO identifies alcohol as a risk factor for noncommunicable diseases and links it to various conditions, including liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer.
Avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption can therefore be part of efforts to reduce health risks.
Work deadlines, commuting, social activities, and other daily demands can make stress and insufficient sleep part of life during the productive years.
Prolonged stress and poor sleep patterns can affect overall health and may also be associated with other habits, such as less healthy eating or reduced physical activity. Making time for sufficient sleep, rest, and stress management therefore remains important.
Overweight and obesity are important factors to consider because they are associated with an increased risk of various noncommunicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
This is increasingly relevant for younger age groups. In 2025, Indonesia's Ministry of Health warned that if obesity trends continue to rise, the age of diabetes onset in Indonesia could potentially shift from the 50s to the 30s.
Some risk factors for serious illness can develop without obvious symptoms. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, and uncontrolled cholesterol levels, for example, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health conditions.
Health checks that are appropriate for your age, health condition, and risk factors can therefore help identify these issues earlier. Results should be discussed with a healthcare professional to determine suitable next steps.
Looking after your health from a young age does not require making major changes all at once. Simple habits practiced consistently can help manage various risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. Alongside lifestyle choices, it is also important to understand your health status and undergo health checks when appropriate.
Here are several steps you can start taking:
Step |
Explanation |
|---|---|
Maintain a Balanced Diet |
Include a variety of vegetables, fruit, protein sources, and carbohydrates that suit your needs. Limit foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat, as well as heavily processed foods. |
Stay Physically Active |
Reduce prolonged sitting and make time for regular physical activity. WHO recommends that adults get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity. |
Avoid Smoking |
Not smoking and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke are important steps to reduce various health risks, including heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and certain cancers. |
Limit Alcohol Consumption |
Alcohol consumption is associated with various health risks. Avoiding or limiting it can be part of efforts to support long term health. |
Prioritize Sleep and Recovery |
Aim for sufficient sleep and a relatively consistent sleep schedule. Avoid repeatedly sacrificing rest for work, social activities, or device use. |
Manage Stress |
Find healthy ways to manage everyday pressure, such as exercising, enjoying hobbies, spending time with people close to you, or making time to step away from your routine. |
Monitor Your Health |
Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body weight, and other health indicators can be checked according to age and individual risk factors. Screening can help identify conditions that may not yet cause symptoms. |
Know Your Family Health History |
Find out whether your family has a history of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, or certain cancers. This information can be useful when discussing risks and appropriate screening with a healthcare professional. |
Disclaimer: No single habit or health check can guarantee that someone will be free from critical illness. Screening needs can also differ depending on age, sex, family history, health conditions, and individual risk factors. Consult a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate type and frequency of health checks.
Living a healthy lifestyle is an important step toward supporting long term health. However, a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, and health checks cannot eliminate every health risk that may arise in the future.
For Gen Z and Millennials in their productive years, a serious health condition can also affect their finances. When someone needs treatment or has to reduce their activities temporarily, the costs involved may extend beyond medical care. Everyday expenses, transportation, caregiving, installment payments, and family needs may continue even when the ability to work or earn an income is reduced.
Preparation for critical illness risks can therefore be approached from two sides:
Maintain your health while preparing financially. At a minimum, have an emergency fund and health insurance in place.
Complement your existing protection with Oona Critical Illness Insurance according to your needs and financial capacity.
Critical illness insurance generally serves a different purpose from health insurance. Health insurance typically provides benefits related to medical treatment costs according to the policy terms, while certain critical illness insurance products may provide a cash benefit when the insured experiences a critical condition that meets the definition stated in the policy. This benefit can provide greater financial flexibility during treatment and recovery.
Oona offers protection options for several critical illness conditions. Oona Stroke Insurance offers premiums starting from IDR 5,500 per month with a cash benefit of up to IDR 100 million. Premiums and benefits remain subject to the applicable product and policy terms.
The answer depends on each person's needs. Health conditions, family history, dependents, financial capacity, emergency savings, and existing insurance coverage are some factors that can be considered.
If you already have health insurance, for example, you can evaluate whether additional protection may be useful to help manage the financial impact of a critical illness. If your budget is still limited, building an emergency fund and meeting basic protection needs can be prioritized first. Read more to understand why this type of protection may be considered from your productive years.
