Preventative testing is getting easier for Kiwis.<\/p>\n
This content was prepared by BODYiQ and is being published by The New Zealand Herald as Advertorial.<\/p>\n
\n Many New Zealanders say they value their health, but a new nationwide survey commissioned by health testing platform BODYiQ suggests preventative screening and routine health monitoring
\n are still falling behind.\n <\/p>\n
While just under half (44%) of respondents said they keep up to date with regular health screenings and medical check-ups, the survey found 25% had not had a routine medical screening or check-up in more than a year.<\/p>\n
Scott Bishop, the lead for BODYiQ, says the findings reflect a gap between people\u2019s health intentions and actions, and was a primary driver behind the launch of BODYiQ.<\/p>\n
BODYiQ increases access and simplifies the process for customers who are interested in preventative health screening. It allows customers to order blood tests online without a GP referral, visit one of more than 150 Awanui collection centres nationwide to have their sample taken, and then access results securely online. More than 80 tests are available ranging from individual markers, such as cholesterol, to broader wellness panels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t about avoiding your GP,\u201d Bishop says. \u201cIf you have symptoms or you\u2019re unwell, you should absolutely be seeing a healthcare provider. BODYiQ provides an additional option for people wanting to be proactive and have greater visibility into aspects of their health over time.\u201d <\/p>\n
That shift is also changing the kinds of conversations clinicians are having with patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore patients are looking to better understand aspects of their health before issues become more serious,\u201d says Dr Kim Hurst, clinical director at Green Cross Health and The Doctors Online.<\/p>\n
\u201cTesting can help support those conversations, particularly around areas like heart health, fatigue, or hormone changes, but it\u2019s important that results are considered alongside clinical advice and a person\u2019s wider health picture,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
For some New Zealanders, access barriers, including appointment wait times and short consultations, can also make preventative health conversations harder to fit in with their GP.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe BODYiQ complements the patient-GP relationship by making preventative screening more accessible and helping people engage with their health earlier,\u201d said Bishop.<\/p>\n
Many customers begin by establishing a baseline and tracking changes over time, particularly around areas such as cholesterol, hormones, or general wellbeing. <\/p>\n
These people are not necessarily looking for answers to a specific medical issue, explains Dr Melissa Yssel, clinical lead in chemical pathology at Awanui Labs, but are simply trying to build a clearer picture of their health.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat might include someone in their 40s checking cholesterol levels after a family history of heart disease, or a busy parent wanting to better understand ongoing fatigue before booking a GP appointment,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Testing is processed through Awanui\u2019s accredited laboratories, the same network used by GPs and specialists across New Zealand. Dr Yssel says lab testing can be a useful part of understanding health over time when interpreted in the right context, and \u201ccan be used to support informed discussions between patients and their healthcare providers.\u201d<\/p>\n
In some cases, Bishop says, screening may also prompt conversations with a GP that might not otherwise have happened, particularly in areas where awareness is lower, or screening is not routinely offered until later in life. <\/p>\n
The BODYiQ Health Pulse survey suggests health concerns vary across age groups. Older New Zealanders are more focused on heart health and cholesterol, while younger people show more interest in hormones and fertility. <\/p>\n
As more New Zealanders look for accessible ways to better understand their health, services like BODYiQ reflect a growing shift toward prevention, personal health awareness, and more informed conversations with healthcare providers.<\/p>\n
BODYiQ Pulse survey questioned 513 New Zealanders aged 18 and over between July 14-18 2025.Test results and any accompanying commentary are for informational purposes only. While they can help customers better understand their health, they do not constitute a clinical diagnosis or medical advice. BODYiQ is not a substitute for professional medical care or assessment for urgent symptoms<\/p>\n
For more information: bodyiq.co.nz<\/a> <\/p>\n