Reaching Health Goals

Inside Medcan’s Health Score: turning complex health data into one clear number

An innovative new tool to help you stay proactive, turn insights into action and track health progress over time

Understanding your health through biomarkers, screening results and evidence-based tests is an important step to living your healthiest life. But insight alone doesn’t lead to transformation. Real positive health shifts come down to what you choose to do with the information you receive.

Great health requires action – and often new action – based on where you are and what needs improvement.

For example, your Annual Health Assessment might show an excellent muscle-to-fat ratio from strength training, but a lower VO2 sub-max score signaling a need for more cardio training. Or, you may learn your testosterone has declined, making resistance training a priority. In other cases, your data might indicate risk factors that need to be addressed through dietary changes, such as reducing sugar intake.

These next steps are often clear, but they’re not always easy to follow-through on, especially when they require changing long-standing habits. Sustainable progress requires focus, consistency and a way to track whether your efforts are leading to positive improvements.

This is why Medcan created the Medcan Health Score. Grounded in our clinical experience and behavioural research, it was designed to make progress tangible by translating complex health data into one simple, trackable metric that keeps you motivated and in action.

According to Medcan’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Peter Nord, who guided the development of the Health Score, “We see in both clinical practice and research that when people can clearly see where they stand – and track how their actions drive change over time – they’re far more likely to stay engaged and follow through.”

“When people can clearly see where they stand – and track how their actions drive change over time – they’re far more likely to stay engaged and follow through.”
- Dr. Peter Nord, Medcan’s Chief Medical Officer

The Health Score is now part of your Annual Health Assessment experience. While the Annual Health Assessment gives you a comprehensive picture of your baseline health through extensive testing and measures more than 100 biomarkers, the Health Score gives you one meaningful number that reflects where you are today and helps guide what to do next.

What is the Medcan Health Score?

Medcan’s Health Score is a numerical representation of your health status, expressed as a score out of 100. It is derived from your age and a set of 10 modifiable biomarkers that are measured as part of your Annual Health Assessment.

“We’re excited to introduce the Health Score as a valuable tool that will help our clients stay motivated when it comes to managing their health proactively,'” says Medcan’s Head of Clinical Innovation, Allison Hazell.

Given that it’s a directional measure, rather than a predictive or diagnostic tool, the Health Score is meant to complement the very detailed Annual Health Assessment report that clients receive when they complete their assessment. That report includes over 100 biomarkers across 5 key health categories, known as Medcan’s Vital Five – Heart, Cancer, Metabolic, Mind, and Movement. The Health Score is provided alongside a comprehensive report of results as an easy-to-understand snapshot that helps clients review their health at-a-glance and monitor progress.

Every client who completes an Annual Health Assessment receives a Health Score. A physician will review the score along with other test results during an in-depth consultation at the end of the appointment. That in-person discussion focuses on the modifiable factors that influence your score and changes you can make.

As Dr. Nord explains, “We know that shared decision-making between clients and clinicians in preventive care is associated with improved engagement and better health outcomes, which is exactly what the Health Score is designed to support.”

The logic behind the tool

Through the Annual Health Assessment, clients receive over 100 data points. While comprehensive, this level of detail can make it difficult to see the big picture or know where to focus. The Medcan Health Score addresses that, distilling key health indicators into one single, standardized metric. Its goals are threefold:

Simplify complex information: a single score improves clarity and helps you quickly grasp your overall health status
Support action-taking: clear, visual summaries improve understanding, motivation and action-taking
Enable long-term tracking: a consistent, repeatable score allows you to monitor progress over time and stay focused on meaningful change

According to Medcan’s Vice President of Medical Affairs, Dr. Jason Abrams, “The Health Score is an engagement tool that gives clients a snapshot of their current health and breaks down what areas they can target to improve future health risks.

“The Health Score is an engagement tool that gives clients a snapshot of their current health and breaks down what areas they can target to improve future health risks.”
- Dr. Jason Abrams, Medcan’s Vice President of Medical Affairs

We encourage clients to use the Health Score as a motivational tool that supports progress. It is not intended to predict future health outcomes or mortality or replace physician judgment or diagnostic protocols.

Health is complex and personal. While single metric tools can be useful in general, there are always situations where they are not as relevant. The Health Score should never be used as a standalone indicator of health outside of the full assessment results.

During an Annual Health Assessment, multiple factors are evaluated, and if there are pressing concerns or results that require detailed discussion or follow-up, those conversations will always take precedence.

The Health Score is also ideal for those who are considered relatively healthy. For those who have complex or chronic conditions, a physician will provide guidance on how to consider the score in the context of your full data set, as standard reference ranges used to calculate the score may not fully apply.

At a population level, aggregated Health Scores will eventually also allow us to measure the broader impact and effectiveness of Medcan’s programs and interventions to ensure we are always offering the highest level of care and clinical excellence.

The 10 biomarkers behind the Medcan Health Score

The Health Score is calculated using age (as a contextual factor) and 10 modifiable biomarkers, selected for their clinical relevance, objectivity, and ability to be consistently measured. The 10 biomarkers are:

V02 sub-max
Grip strength
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)
Triglyceride to HDL ratio (TG/HDL)
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)
Alcohol
Smoking

Here is an explanation of each biomarker, starting with age as a contextual factor that is linked to each biomarker and included in the Health Score.

Age: the context for every other marker

Age is the only factor tracked as part of the Medcan Health Score that is “non-modifiable” or can’t be changed. We include age because it is the single strongest baseline predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk. Age contextualizes every other biomarker and allows Medcan to benchmark risk trajectories over time.

Widely used risk equations, such as the Framingham general cardiovascular disease score, which is used to assess heart health, weigh age heavily in its 10-year risk estimation. Age is included in the Health Score framework because it plays a central role in chronic disease onset.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and strength

Cardiorespiratory fitness is captured through a VO2 submaximal estimate (known as ‘V02 sub-max'), which measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise. Submaximal testing estimates your highest oxygen capacity without pushing you to your absolute limit. It gives a reliable picture of your cardiovascular fitness. Higher fitness levels are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and all-cause mortality. To learn more about V02 sub-max visit this page: Introducing V02 sub-max to the Annual Health Assessment.

Muscular strength is represented by grip strength, measured with a calibrated dynamometer using Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology protocols. Grip strength is a simple, reliable proxy for overall muscle strength and functional reserve, with lower values linked to higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality independent of traditional risk factors. For more information on grip strength, read: Grip strength: A powerful predictor of full-body health.

Together, these two biomarkers reflect how well your heart, lungs and muscles support daily life and long-term health.

Lipids and inflammation

Several biomarkers within the Medcan Health Score focus on cardiovascular risk through blood lipids and inflammation.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) ApoB is a protein associated with “bad” lipoproteins in the blood that are involved in plaque buildup in an individual’s arteries. A higher level indicates a higher risk of cardiovascular conditions, such as heart attack and stroke.
Triglyceride to HDL ratio (TG/HDL) is a ratio of triglycerides to “good” cholesterol (HDL). A higher ratio is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular conditions, such as heart and stroke, and serves as a marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia – a pattern of blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) that increases the risk of developing plaque in the arteries – and insulin resistance.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) is a causal driver of cardiovascular disease. Lowering lifetime exposure to LDL reduces major vascular events.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) reflects low-grade inflammation and can indicate cardiovascular risk in apparently healthy adults. Elevated hs-CRP is associated with incidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease depression and all-cause mortality.

By combining these markers, the Health Score captures both the lipid and inflammatory components of cardiovascular risk. For more information on these biomarkers read Medcan’s guide to heart health.

Metabolic control and body composition

Metabolic health is represented through hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).

HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over approximately three months and is an important marker of prediabetes and diabetes risk. It is independently associated with cardiovascular and overall mortality in people with and without diabetes. Medcan uses standardized lab assays and anchors of interpretation to diagnostic and prediabetes cut points from major guidelines to ensure consistent tracking. For more on HbA1c and other important metabolic biomarkers that are part of the Annual Health Assessment, visit this page.
WHtR focuses on central adiposity (amount of fat in the waist region), which is more tightly linked to cardiometabolic risk than body mass index or waist circumference alone. Waist circumference is measured using World Health Organization protocols, and scoring is rooted in the simple screening message to keep your waist less than half your height. WHtR is consistently associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mortality across populations.

Lifestyle factors: alcohol and smoking

Two lifestyle-related biomarkers round out the Health Score.

Alcohol intake is verified in-clinic and quantified in standard drinks per week. Risk is categorized using guidance that emphasizes that no amount of alcohol is risk-free. Meta-analyses show a linear dose-response between alcohol and outcomes such as cancer, injury, liver disease and all-cause mortality.
Cigarette smoking status is recorded as a yes or no result and includes cigarette smoking or vaping of nicotine-containing products on a regular basis. Nicotine exposure remains one of the most potent modifiable determinants of morbidity and mortality. Smoking cessation rapidly reduces cardiovascular risk, with evidence of substantial risk reduction within 12 months of quitting.

The methodology

Behind the simplicity of a single number is a structured methodology. The biomarkers we use to calculate the Health Score are measured using documented, standardized lab assays and protocols. Reference ranges and thresholds are also anchored to national and international guidelines. This allows for consistent risk assignments and year-over-year tracking.

Self-reported metrics, such as alcohol intake and smoking status, are validated in clinic by a Medcan clinician rather than relying solely on pre-visit questionnaires.

“Some might wonder why there is currently no biomarker related to emotional wellbeing in the score, and we acknowledge this. We currently face constraints in standardizing this factor given its subjectivity. However, it’s a core component we are focused on as we continue to innovate,” explains Dr. Nord

As more data is collected and we continue to innovate, we will continue to evolve the Health Score health score as new research and learnings emerge.

A tool to help you progress and stay proactive

The Medcan Health Score offers a clear starting point and shows, at a glance, how your current habits and physiology are combining today.

Since the score is built from modifiable biomarkers, it is also designed to change over time. Improvements in fitness, strength, lipids, inflammation, metabolic control, body composition or lifestyle behaviours can all move the number in a positive direction – making it a practical tool for tracking the impact of your efforts over time.

Additionally, it supports more focused conversations with your Annual Health Assessment physician. Rather than trying to interpret every result in isolation, together you can use the score as a framework, then dive into the specific biomarkers that are driving it. From there you can also explore the specific areas of your results report that need additional consideration. That shared understanding can make it easier to agree on priorities and next steps.

Finally, as Dr. Nord explains, “The Health Score is about continuing to encourage a broader shift in healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive, personalized prevention. We believe this has the opportunity to help clients make positive changes that can set them on a path to better health and longevity.”

“The Health Score is about continuing to encourage a broader shift in healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive, personalized prevention."
- Dr. Peter Nord, Medcan’s Chief Medical Officer

While your best health can never be determined by one number alone, one number can help you take the first steps and keep moving in the right direction.

Take action

During your Annual Health Assessment, you will now receive the Medcan Health Score. As part of the experience, you and your physician will review your score and how each biomarker contributes and discuss the areas with the greatest opportunity for improvement. You will also be able to view your score within your full assessment report available through our myMedcan secure health platform. To learn more or book your Annual Health Assessment, visit this page.

For clients who want deeper insights into particular areas of health, Medcan’s Enhanced Assessments can provide additional detail on heart health, cancer risk, genetics, longevity and whole-body health, including liver function. These offerings complement the Annual Health Assessment and can be used alongside the health score to refine your prevention strategy. Learn more here.

This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a Medcan clinician or your healthcare provider for guidance tailored to your health needs.

This article was written by Medcan’s editorial team with review and contribution from Dr. Peter Nord, Chief Medical Officer at Medcan, Dr. Jason Abrams, Medcan’s Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Head of Clinical Innovation, Allison Hazell.

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