Defeat Ageing: Top Down or Bottom Up
Defeating Ageing: Is a Top-Down Approach Necessary?
Ageing is not currently a therapeutic target. The current medical landscape surrounding ageing typically adopts a reactive stance, where the focus is on managing chronic diseases rather than addressing the underlying ageing processes that drive these conditions. Traditional healthcare systems often prioritize acute care and treatment over prevention, leaving individuals to grapple with the consequences of age-related diseases without meaningful intervention. This prevalent approach is inadequate, given the mounting evidence that ageing itself is a primary factor in the onset of chronic diseases and ultimately leads to increased mortality.
Individuals can see the benefit in staying well. It is logical and self-evident. It is less costly physically, emotionally and financially. In advocating for a paradigm shift, I propose that we begin treating the ageing processes as the root causes of chronic disease, rather than simply managing the symptoms as they arise. This perspective not only has the potential to improve individual health outcomes but also presents a significant economic opportunity for public health systems and the healthcare industry.
However, the current environment is characterized by a troubling dynamic: public health authorities are currently hampered by the influences of industries that thrive on chronic disease management. These industries, with their vested interests in profitable treatments, may resist shifts towards preventive healthcare models that prioritize addressing the ageing process. This inertia can leave individuals feeling powerless and compelled to take matters into their own hands, seeking out anti-ageing interventions that may not be sanctioned by traditional medical practices.
Bio hackers are among this group – and there is risk in this subjective self-guided health care model – I don’t recommend it. There is also regulatory risk for practitioners wanting to focus on a more preventive health care mode. They may face scrutiny or allegations of misconduct for stepping outside the established boundaries of conventional practice. This highlights a critical tension in the healthcare landscape: the need for a responsible, evidence-based approach to anti-ageing that can integrate innovative practices while safeguarding patient health.
It is possible that the answer will be top down: The economic rationale for investing in the prevention of chronic diseases linked to ageing is clear and may be forced upon otherwise sluggish adopters from government. A proactive stance on ageing could result in substantial savings for public health systems, alleviating the financial burden associated with managing chronic diseases over time. Moreover, if industries can pivot to embrace preventive healthcare strategies, there exists a lucrative market for innovative anti-ageing solutions that align with public health goals. That would be my best-case scenario.
The alternative, the bottom-up answer, is people increasingly disregarding the role of medical practitioners and guidelines in the management of their own health – particularly in the chronic disease space. This is obviously a high-risk situation as well.
The crux of the matter is: will individuals drive the change towards defeating ageing, or will public health priorities and budgetary necessities prevail? The path forward is likely to be a blend of both, but it will require bold leadership from both the public health sector and the healthcare industry to align incentives and foster an environment where proactive ageing interventions are not only accepted but encouraged.
It is essential to engage in open dialogues about ageing and its implications for health and society. Ageing needs to become a topic of conversation. The mythological belief in the untreatable nature of ageing needs to be dispelled. By shifting the narrative from one of passive management to active prevention, we can create a healthcare framework that values longevity, well-being, and the potential for a healthier population overall. Ultimately, the defeat of ageing should not solely be the responsibility of individuals; it must also be embraced as a collective societal goal, supported by the necessary infrastructure and commitment from public health authorities and the healthcare industry alike.
Copyright Dr Christopher Maclay 2024. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, it does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your health care practitioner for personalised medical advice.