Longevity refers to living a long life, which has become a major focus in modern health science. As people live longer, researchers are looking at the factors that influence both how long we live (lifespan) and how healthy we remain as we age (healthspan).
In the past, medical science focused on treating diseases after they appeared. Today, the focus is shifting towards preventative medicine, helping people stay healthy before serious health issues develop.
This change is crucial as our population ages.
Data tells us that while lifespan has increased by about 30 years over the last century, the ratio of healthy years of life (healthspan) has not increased accordingly. In fact, the rates of chronic diseases have increased [1].
There’s an increase in the number of years we spend being unhealthy and unwell. Unable to make the most of our remaining time.
For example, the average lifespan in Switzerland today is 83.4 years, while the average healthspan is 72.5 years [2] (World Health Organization, 2024). We could spend over 11 years towards the end of our lives with an illness that limits our quality of life.
Learn how AYUN can help you adopt preventative healthcare strategies and start your longevity journey today. We’re proud to be the first-of-it’s-kind longevity clinic in Switzerland.
Traditional disease control approaches
As understanding of illness progressed [3], so did treatments. Early medical figures like Hippocrates and Galen focused on treating illness, though their knowledge was limited to the technology of their era.
Germ theory, developed by Louis Pasteur in the 1860s, marked a turning point. By linking germs to illness, medicine began focusing on disease prevention through better sanitation. From the 19th century onward, this proactive approach led to a drop in deaths from infectious diseases.
However, to understand the modern challenge, let’s look at some data.
The four most common conditions—cancers, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory conditions, and metabolic disorders—account for 80% of chronic disease-related deaths [4]. Chronic diseases combined account for approximately 71% of all deaths.
These diseases are not related to germs or infections. They arise from within and have different causes, influenced by factors like genetics, lifestyle, and environment [5].
Historically, medical care has been reactive, focusing on treating diseases after they manifest. Even in the modern era, many treatments address symptoms rather than preventing disease in the first place.
For example, heart disease is treated with medications like statins or surgeries for blocked arteries, while diabetes is managed with insulin or medications to control blood sugar. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery are also reactive, often starting after the disease has progressed.
While these treatments are essential, they don’t address the root causes before disease develops.
The shift to prevention
Today, there’s a growing emphasis on preventative medicine, which focuses on early detection and lifestyle interventions. Doctors are now identifying risk factors for conditions such as high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar and acting before they happen. Being proactive about health can significantly reduce the risk of developing serious diseases.
This shift is part of what leading longevity voice, Dr. Peter Attia, has referred to as ‘Medicine 3.0.’
Medicine 1.0 encompassed early medical practices. An emphasis on disease management and traditional treatments. Medicine 2.0 brought advancements through the 20th century and was highly successful in reducing deaths related to contagious or communicable diseases. It’s seen no real change in the rates of death due to chronic health conditions though.
It’s clear that a new approach is needed.
In Switzerland, just 4% of total healthcare spending goes toward prevention, while roughly 80% is allocated to treating non-communicable chronic diseases. Over half of these conditions could be prevented or delayed through a healthy lifestyle and preventative actions.[6]
Medicine 3.0 focuses on using modern technology and preventative medicine to help people live longer, healthier lives.
Preventative medicine is very individualized. It is a precision science that targets specific markers and informs personalized treatment plans.
Advances in preventative Longevity medicine
Today, there’s a growing emphasis on preventative medicine, which focuses on early detection and lifestyle interventions. Doctors are now identifying risk factors for conditions such as high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar and acting before they happen. Being proactive about health can significantly reduce the risk of developing serious diseases.
This shift is part of what leading longevity voice, Dr. Peter Attia, has referred to as ‘Medicine 3.0.’
Medicine 1.0 encompassed early medical practices. An emphasis on disease management and traditional treatments. Medicine 2.0 brought advancements through the 20th century and was highly successful in reducing deaths related to contagious or communicable diseases. It’s seen no real change in the rates of death due to chronic health conditions though.
It’s clear that a new approach is needed.
In Switzerland, just 4% of total healthcare spending goes toward prevention, while roughly 80% is allocated to treating non-communicable chronic diseases. Over half of these conditions could be prevented or delayed through a healthy lifestyle and preventative actions.[6]
Medicine 3.0 focuses on using modern technology and preventative medicine to help people live longer, healthier lives.
Preventative medicine is very individualized. It is a precision science that targets specific markers and informs personalized treatment plans.
References
- A „Vision” for the future. (2020, November). Int J Cur Res Rev, 12(21), 01-01. http://dx.doi.org/10.31782/IJCRR.2020.122120
- WHO (2024). Health data overview for the Swiss Confederation. Retrieved [20/9/24], from https://data.who.int/countries/756
- Sakai, T., & Morimoto, Y. (2022). The History of Infectious Diseases and Medicine. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 11(10), 1147. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11101147
- Garmany, A., Yamada, S., & Terzic, A. (2021). Longevity leap: mind the healthspan gap. NPJ Regenerative medicine, 6(1), 57. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-021-00169-5
- Budreviciute, A., Damiati, S., Sabir, D. K., Onder, K., Schuller-Goetzburg, P., Plakys, G., Katileviciute, A., Khoja, S., & Kodzius, R. (2020). Management and Prevention Strategies for Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Their Risk Factors. Frontiers in public health, 8, 574111. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.574111
- BAG, Data from 2022, Retrieved 15.10.2024 https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/health/costs-financing.html
