Buleleng. Thousands of participants filled the football field of Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) in Buleleng, Bali, on Sunday, May 24 as BPJS Kesehatan held its Fun Run 2026 event to promote healthy living among young Indonesians.

Organized in collaboration with Undiksha and the Early Miles running community, the event formed part of BPJS Kesehatan’s broader campaign to encourage the public to adopt healthier lifestyles through enjoyable physical activities while increasing awareness of the National Health Insurance (JKN) program.

President Director of BPJS Kesehatan Prihati Pujowaskito said maintaining good health can start with simple habits, including regular exercise such as running.

“Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining heart health, controlling blood sugar levels, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which are increasingly affecting people of productive age,” Prihati said.

She added that chronic illnesses are no longer limited to older age groups, with more cases now being found among younger Indonesians.

“As cases continue to rise among younger and productive-age groups, we encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, mental health awareness, and early health screenings,” she said.

BPJS Kesehatan data from 2021 to 2025 showed a significant increase in chronic disease cases among participants in the JKN program. Diagnosed diabetes cases rose from around 240,000 to more than 401,000, an increase of approximately 67.4%. Hypertension cases also climbed from 706,000 to over 1 million cases, up around 43.9% during the same period.

The increase has also driven up healthcare spending. BPJS Kesehatan recorded diabetes treatment costs rising from Rp 3.9 trillion ($239 million) in 2021 to Rp 8.7 trillion in 2025, while hypertension treatment costs increased from Rp 6.2 trillion to Rp 15.1 trillion.

Cumulatively, BPJS Kesehatan has spent around Rp 151.4 trillion on diabetes and hypertension treatment since 2014.

Prihati said many chronic diseases can be prevented through lifestyle changes and routine early detection. She encouraged the public to make use of health screening services available at healthcare facilities and through the Mobile JKN application.

“People now have easier access to digital health services through the Mobile JKN app, which offers features such as online queue registration, participant information, and health history screening to help detect disease risks early,” she added.

The event was also attended by Buleleng Regional Secretary Gede Suyasa, regional government officials, BPJS Kesehatan partners, university students, healthcare workers, running communities, and members of the public.

Gede welcomed the initiative, saying the Fun Run not only promoted healthy lifestyles but also strengthened collaboration between stakeholders in improving public health.

Meanwhile, Undiksha Vice Rector III I Ketut Sudiana said involving younger generations in health campaigns is essential to building health awareness from an early age.