How Incentives Support Heart, Cancer Prevention & Dental Health Programs

Preventive care has become one of the most powerful levers healthcare organizations can use to improve outcomes while controlling long-term costs. From heart health screenings and cancer prevention programs to routine dental care, early intervention is proven to save lives—and reduce downstream medical expenses. According to the CDC, if every person in the U.S. received recommended clinical preventive care, up to 100,000 lives could be saved each year.

Yet one challenge persists across nearly every preventive health initiative: participation. In the U.S., 27% of adults report being not up to date with recommended screenings and immunizations, with more than a quarter of people saying they haven’t completed vital preventive services according to the AANP.

Patients often understand what they should do, but competing priorities, cost concerns, transportation barriers, and simple inertia can prevent them from taking action. Healthcare organizations are increasingly turning to thoughtfully designed incentive programs to bridge that gap, nudging patients toward healthier behaviors while respecting individual choice and dignity.

Why Incentives Matter More in Preventive Care

Preventive programs depend on consistency. A single screening or appointment is helpful, but sustained participation over time is what leads to meaningful improvements in population health. Heart disease and cancer continue to be leading causes of death, yet research shows screening rates for key risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol remain below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting gaps in engagement.

Incentives play a critical role by:

• Encouraging patients to complete screenings and checkups
• Reinforcing ongoing behaviors like medication adherence or follow-up visits
• Reducing friction for everyday health decisions
• Making preventive care feel supportive, not punitive

Unlike acute care, preventive health requires patients to act before something feels urgent. Incentives provide a timely, positive reinforcement that keeps programs top of mind.

Supporting Heart Health Programs Through Behavior Change

The CDC reports that heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. (responsible for roughly 1 in 5 deaths nationally), and many risk factors are highly manageable with early detection and lifestyle changes.

Incentives are commonly used to support heart health initiatives by motivating patients to:

• Complete biometric screenings or blood pressure checks
• Participate in walking or movement challenges
• Attend nutrition counseling or smoking cessation programs
• Track progress through digital wellness tools

One large employer saw biometric screening participation jump dramatically—by more than 50 percentage points—when financial incentives were provided.

When paired with flexible rewards, these programs feel less like obligations and more like achievable steps toward better health.

Encouraging Cancer Prevention & Early Detection

Cancer prevention programs often struggle with delayed participation, especially for screenings that may feel inconvenient or uncomfortable. Incentives help lower that barrier by providing immediate, tangible value for proactive care.

In one recent study, participants offered a financial incentive for colorectal cancer screening were more than twice as likely to complete their screening within two months, compared with those not offered an incentive.

Common incentive-supported activities include:

• Annual cancer screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, HPV tests)
• Vaccination programs
• Genetic risk assessments or preventive consultations
• Follow-up appointments after initial screenings

By rewarding preventive actions, healthcare organizations reinforce the importance of early detection, often leading to better outcomes and lower treatment costs over time.

Reinforcing Dental Health as Whole-Body Health

Dental care is increasingly recognized as a key component of overall health, yet it is one of the most commonly deferred forms of preventive care. According to Health.gov, oral health visits and preventive dental services are core components of national preventive care goals, yet many adults still do not utilize dental services regularly.

Incentives can help drive participation in dental programs by encouraging patients to:

• Schedule routine cleanings and exams
• Complete recommended treatments
• Attend oral health education sessions
• Maintain consistent preventive care habits

Supporting dental health through incentives not only improves oral outcomes but also helps reduce the risk of related conditions such as heart disease and diabetes complications.

Why Choice-Based Incentives Work Best in 2026

One-size-fits-all rewards no longer meet the needs of diverse patient populations. Today’s healthcare incentives must be flexible, inclusive, and easy to distribute—without adding administrative complexity.

That’s where choice-based incentives stand out.

With the Engage2Reward™ Choice Card, healthcare organizations can offer a single, streamlined reward that empowers patients to choose what’s most meaningful to them. Recipients can redeem their Engage2Reward Choice Card online and choose from hundreds of popular retailers within the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform catalog, selecting gift cards that support groceries, fuel, wellness needs, everyday essentials, or personal rewards.

Choice-based incentives help:

• Reduce guesswork for program administrators
• Respect individual patient preferences
• Improve perceived value of the reward
• Increase participation and follow-through

The Engage2Reward Choice Card can also be personalized with a message, animated greeting, or photo—reinforcing positive engagement without feeling transactional.

For healthcare and wellness programs that want to guide incentives toward healthier choices, CVS^® gift cards offer a practical, trusted option. With nearly 7,000 redemption locations nationwide, CVS is already a familiar destination for patients managing their day-to-day health needs.

CVS gift cards can be used for essentials that directly support preventive care goals, including:

• Prescription medications and refills
• Over-the-counter health items and first aid supplies
• Vitamins, wellness products, and personal care items
• Select grocery and household essentials

Delivering Incentives the Right Way

Successful preventive health programs don’t just focus on what is rewarded, but how rewards are delivered.

Effective programs consider:

• Digital delivery for speed and convenience
• Clear alignment between the incentive and the health behavior
• Privacy and discretion for sensitive programs
• Reporting and tracking to measure participation and outcomes

Research shows that well-designed incentive structures significantly improve enrollment, engagement, and retention in preventive health programs, especially when enrollment barriers are removed and incentives are communicated clearly.

By pairing modern incentive delivery with flexible rewards, healthcare organizations can scale programs efficiently while maintaining a patient-first experience.

Incentives as a Long-Term Health Strategy

Incentives are no longer viewed as short-term motivators. They are a strategic tool for supporting preventive care, improving health equity, and strengthening patient engagement across heart health, cancer prevention, and dental programs.

When designed thoughtfully, incentive programs don’t just increase participation—they help patients build habits that lead to healthier lives.

Register your organization for the Engage2Reward Platform or contact our team to learn how strategic incentives can improve your program's outcomes.