I was honoured to share this message with Brainz Magazine. You can explore the original article here.
For too long, the modern healthcare system (or perhaps more accurately, the ‘sick’ care system) has been built on a reactive model—waiting until illness strikes before intervening. This approach has undoubtedly brought remarkable advances in emergency medicine and acute care, saving countless lives in moments of crisis. Yet, when it comes to the chronic health challenges of our time—heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, autoimmune conditions, and mental health struggles—this model often leaves us managing disease rather than creating health.
A new way forward is emerging. By focusing on prevention, resilience, and the daily choices that shape our wellbeing, we have an opportunity not only to live longer, but to live better.
The True Story of Lifespan & Healthspan
There is a widespread belief that humans today live far longer than our ancestors. In truth, average life expectancy in palaeolithic times was low because of high childhood mortality and risks during childbirth. But if an individual survived early life, they often lived long, active, and remarkably healthy lives—free from the chronic illnesses that are so common today.
Thanks to modern medicine, infant and maternal deaths are now much rarer, and overall lifespan has increased dramatically. Yet our healthspan—the number of years lived free from disease and disability—has not kept pace. Many people now spend a decade or more in the later stages of life managing multiple chronic conditions.
The lesson is clear: while many more human beings are living longer, too often we are not living well. The real challenge is not just to extend lifespan, but to extend healthspan.
Prevention as Empowerment
The good news is that prevention offers a path forward—one that empowers individuals, families, and communities to take ownership of health long before illness appears.
- Lifestyle as medicine – Nourishing food, movement, rest, and mindfulness are not small extras; they are the foundations of vibrant health. A nutrient-dense diet, restorative sleep, daily activity, and stress-reduction practices like meditation can profoundly shift our biology in a positive direction.
- Personalised and proactive care – Advances in functional and integrative medicine now allow us to detect imbalances early and tailor strategies to individual needs. From genetic testing to microbiome analysis to wearable technology, we have unprecedented tools to understand and optimise our own physiology.
- From patient to participant – True prevention reframes health as a partnership. Instead of waiting for a prescription, individuals can become active participants in shaping their wellbeing and building resilience.
A Smarter Investment
Investing in prevention is not only better for people—it is smarter for society. Chronic disease accounts for more than 70% of global deaths and consumes the majority of sickcare spending. Yet research shows that every dollar spent on prevention returns multiple dollars in reduced medical costs and improved productivity.
Forward-thinking organisations are already recognising that wellbeing is not a luxury; it is a driver of creativity, resilience, and sustainable success.
A Culture of Health Creation
Imagine a world where prevention is woven into everyday life:
- Schools that teach children not only how to read and write, but also how to nourish their bodies and calm their minds – Japan already incorporates this in their school system.
- Workplaces that view health as a foundation for performance, making movement, rest, and psychological safety part of the culture.
- Communities and cities designed to encourage fresh air, movement, and connection with nature.
Prevention is not about restriction—it is about creating the conditions for people to thrive.
Redefining Success in Healthcare
Success should no longer be measured only by how long we live, but by how well we live. Medicine will always play a vital role, but prevention allows us to shift the balance—from treating disease to cultivating vitality.
The integration of modern medical advances with nutrition, lifestyle, and holistic care has the potential to reduce suffering while unlocking human potential on an extraordinary scale.
Final Thought
The most profound cure is the one we never need. By rethinking health through the lens of prevention, we can reclaim years of vitality that would otherwise be lost to illness.
Our ancestors remind us that healthspan matters as much as lifespan. Our modern tools remind us that prevention is within reach. Together, they point us toward a brighter future—one where living longer also means living well.
References
- World Health Organization. Noncommunicable Diseases. WHO Fact Sheet, 2023.
- Gurven M, Kaplan H. Longevity among hunter-gatherers: a cross-cultural examination. Population and Development Review. 2007.
- The Lancet Public Health. Global Burden of Disease Study 2019: healthspan vs lifespan. 2020.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Economics of Prevention. 2022.
