South Africa’s Western Cape will now pay you — a little — to stay healthy

The Western Cape’s health department launched WOWRewards, the country’s first health-rewards pilot for public healthcare users: residents of Mitchells Plain can earn up to R100 (about $5.80) a month for booking antenatal care early, joining a parkrun, immunizing their children, or collecting chronic medication on time. The idea is simple — small rewards now for habits that keep people out of hospitals later. If the pilot works, prevention gets a lot more attractive than cure.