Shifts: Three forces that will shape the future of wellness
Climate change: Climate change poses a significant threat to global wellness through a range of complex and interconnected effects.
Rising temperatures can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular issues, leading to an increase in disease and death rates. Unpredictable weather patterns, including floods and droughts, threaten food security, causing malnutrition and stress-related disorders as we see with a growing “climate anxiety” trend, particularly in youth. Worsening air quality from wildfires and pollution expose populations to harmful toxins, affecting lung health. And a blend of changing weather patterns paired with biodiversity loss could increase our risk of spreading infectious diseases and more frequent epidemics and pandemics.
Rising costs & consumer wellness: The escalating cost of healthcare could continue to negatively influence wellness by making treatment inaccessible for many, increasing stress and leaving populations with untreated illnesses that they are attempting to manage on their own. Consumer wellness categories have been benefiting by offering a cheaper alternative to the healthcare system, though access is not equal and outcomes sometimes unclear.
The proliferation of fitness technology, mental health apps, and nutritional services promotes a more proactive approach to health management. However, it's crucial to ensure these tools are evidence-based, as social media and health influencers in some cases have led to an increase in big claims and “quick fixes.”
Personalized medicine: While still in its infancy, personalized medicine, considering factors like genetics, ethnicity, and the broader health context of the individual may unlock growth and better outcomes.
The ability to offer more targeted, effective therapies, can reduce costly and potentially harmful trial-and-error treatment. Artificial intelligence may accelerate the ability to analyze our genetics to predict susceptibility to certain diseases, enabling early intervention, or identifying a smaller subset of potential solutions. Considering context and ethnicity helps address health disparities and tailor interventions to specific population needs. However, as with any new technology, it will be important to ensure these advancements are accessible to all, to prevent further health inequities.
| ← Read previous How AI, new drugs, and your DNA will help us live better for longer | Read next → |