For the past decade, the Chiawelo Community Practice CCP in Soweto has tested how primary healthcare that starts within communities through things like exercise groups can keep people healthy.
The project was started by Wits University family physician Shabir Moosa who believes it can serve as a blueprint for the National Health Insurance .
CCP uses community health workers to track the health of 30,000 residents through frequent home visits. These workers help run fitness groups and nudge patients to get regular check-ups instead of waiting until they get sick.
Not only do people feel healthier, research shows they fall ill less often and need fewer emergency medical visits.
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