The Evolution of Modern Medicine
The healthcare system, as we know it, evolved to address illness, injury, and disease. Over centuries, modern medicine has achieved remarkable advancements. From the discovery of antibiotics to the development of complex surgical procedures and life-saving vaccines, these achievements have undoubtedly extended our lifespans and enhanced our ability to combat a myriad of health challenges.
Consider the eradication of smallpox—a historical milestone demonstrating modern medicine's triumph. This success story highlights the potential of targeted medical interventions to transform public health.
However, despite these advancements, our societal constructs around nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress have veered negatively. As a result, we might be living longer, but we are also living sicker.
Today, our healthcare system is predominantly a “sickcare” system, designed to manage symptoms and treat diseases after they occur. This reactive approach has profound implications on both individual and societal levels.
Sickcare: The Prevailing Paradigm
When we discuss healthcare, what we’re often referring to is sickcare—a system centered around diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries. This model, while essential, overlooks the importance of proactive and preventative care.
The economic model of sickcare is deeply entrenched, supported by an extensive ecosystem that includes payers, providers, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance firms, all of which are interdependent and benefit from the status quo. This vast and interconnected system, much like other large-scale industrial models, has considerable momentum, making it difficult to redirect toward proactive healthcare solutions.
The Economic Impact
The repercussions of our sickcare model are immense. Chronic disease management, hospital readmissions, and emergency treatments create a significant economic burden. For instance, in the U.S., healthcare spending reached $3.81 trillion in 2019 and is projected to rise to $6.19 trillion by 2028, accounting for 19.7% of the GDP. Despite these expenditures, the U.S. does not achieve better health outcomes compared to other countries with lower healthcare spending.
Globally, healthcare expenditures have risen dramatically. In China, healthcare spending has outpaced GDP growth, while in Brazil, healthcare and pension costs represent over 50% of public spending and are projected to reach 40% of GDP by 2050. In Japan, medical costs for the elderly are expected to rise from JPY 26.4 trillion in 2020 to JPY 28.5 trillion by 2030.
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s place a heavy financial burden on individuals and healthcare systems. In the U.S., chronic diseases account for $1.1 trillion in direct healthcare costs annually, with indirect costs such as lost productivity adding another $7,901 per person. By 2030, an estimated 83.4 million Americans will have three or more chronic diseases, exacerbating these costs further.
The Impact on Society and Communities
More importantly, the impact of our sickcare model extends beyond economics to personal, societal and community levels. When individuals are hit with a health crisis, it’s often the climax of issues that have been lurking, ignored, or unnoticed for a long time. Navigating the healthcare maze in search of relief is not only scary and confusing but can also impose immense stress and financial strain on both the affected individuals and their families.
Especially in cases when a diagnosis is lifelong or terminal, the toll this takes is not merely financial or physical—it’s a profound human suffering that echoes through every aspect of life. Communities suffer as well, with decreased participation in social activities due to the health issues of their members.
The real tragedy? So much of this pain is avoidable with early intervention and a spotlight on preventative care.
The Path Forward
To shift, we need to focus on proactive care at the local level. While federal and institutional changes are important, they are often slow and face significant resistance. A real and immediate impact can be made by doctors on-the-ground, serving local communities and seeing patients day-to-day. By empowering healthcare providers to deliver proactive care, we can improve health outcomes and reduce costs.
We are committed to supporting doctors in delivering the care they want, free from the constraints of reimbursement from an outdated model. By doing so, we can bring proactive care to more patients, enhancing health and wellbeing while preventing burnout among healthcare providers.
