NEW TECH COULD INCREASE LIFESPANS, REPORT SAYS
▶ Global study highlights technology’s link to better responses to ill health
The secret to staying younger for longer has been revealed in a new global health report, with science and technology uncovering new ways to live healthier.
The McKinsey Global Institute compiled an extensive report on healthcare trends and the economic impact of disease and illness.
Adopting long-term healthier lifestyles, using existing treatments and embracing new technology by 2040 could make those aged 65 feel more like today’s 55-year-olds, experts at the think tank said.
The financial impact has huge potential, boosting the global economy by $12 trillion ( Dh44tn) by slashing healthcare costs and increasing productivity.
“Adopting a primary health approach with good eating, exercise and generally a healthy lifestyle has a massive impact on longevity,” said Dr Wael Berro, a family doctor at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai.
“Life expectancy has already improved by 20 years, even before vaccine development and wider use of antibiotics.
“This report is correct in many areas, but we must also realise the burden of disease will also change as we live longer.”
The analysis was conducted from almost 200 countries, with the Global Burden of Disease data set by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.
Clinical guidelines and evidence were extracted from the World Health Organisation, the Disease Control Priorities Network and leading academic journals.
“Despite the progress of the past century, poor health and health inequity continue to limit economic prosperity,” the report’s authors said.
“Premature deaths limit growth by reducing the size of the potential labour force.”
Investment in technology to improve the speed and quality of response to ill health was highlighted as a means to increasing lifespans.
Heart monitoring with ultra-thin e-tattoos, biometric implants to improve sleep and connected wearable devices to monitor vital signs for those living with diabetes are some advances promising to improve life quality.
Vaccination programmes are known to be reliable protective measures, as are environmental and agricultural standards to reduce the risk of novel diseases such as the latest coronavirus crossing from animals to humans.
In a typical year, 17 million people die prematurely from long-term health conditions, many of which are avoidable.
But living with chronic conditions also comes at a cost.
“Greater access to fast food has created more problems for society, but people are not dying young from diabetes any more,” said Dr Barro, who has studied healthcare systems in the UAE and Ireland.
“Like other chronic health conditions, diabetes has become easier to control with greater access to advanced healthcare and technology.”
Health insurance has led to more people visiting their doctor for early screening of chronic illness, leading to better outcomes, Dr Barro said.
Data from the McKinsey report included recent trends arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
Improving global health would bolster the resilience of societies and economies to future pandemics, it said.
People with pre-existing conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease, have been particularly vulnerable to Covid-19.
Learning from current trends should encourage societies to take specific measures to be better prepared for unpredictable health crises ahead.
“Unfortunately, due to the restrictions of movement and use of facilities during the pandemic, people have had changes in their lifestyle,” said Dr
Mustafa Saif, an internal medicine specialist at Aster Hospital, Mankhool.
“This has affected them considerably, especially the people with coexisting co-morbidities.
“Their sugar intake, blood pressure and cholesterol started going up, and to add fuel to the fire, if they smoked or increased alcohol use, health problems worsened.”
Researchers at McKinsey suggested preventive health interventions could cut the global burden of disease by about 40 per cent by 2040, but also increase the world population by an estimated 230 million.
Changes in the workplace and economic policy would allow increased participation of older people in the labour force, but the report also revealed shocking figures on preventable deaths.
About eight million people die annually from preventable or treatable diseases, a third before they are 20.
Mental health disorders are estimated to affect a billion people worldwide, including more than 200 million children. A further 4.5 million people die each year from accidental injuries, 80 per cent under the age of 70.
Regular screening was said to be a vital development to bring down the numbers dying prematurely from treatable diseases.
Dr Ayesha Khalid, a family medicine consultant at Burjeel Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi, said some patients had missed screening sessions during the pandemic.
“Some have ignored chronic health conditions like thyroid problems, hypertension or high cholesterol levels, so there was a delay in getting medication and blood tests,” she said.