Lifespans are getting longer. How long do you expect your generation will live on average?

 It is a known fact that lifespan increases with each generation. For baby boomers, the average life expectancy is 70 years, for Gen X its 85, and newer generations like Gen Z and Alpha will likely exceed the 100-year mark. 

Despite fluctuations from factors like a recent global pandemic, so far humanity has enjoyed a steady life expectancy growth over time, and there doesn’t seem to be a hard limit to a potential human lifespan.[1]

But additional years aren’t all there is to it. Healthspan, the number of years a person enjoys good health, mobility, and doesn’t require constant medical care, doesn’t always directly correlate with longevity. One study from England indicated that for the Gen Xers who participated in the survey, more years of bad health were on the table than for the previous generation unless something gets done to counteract the trend.[2]

Technology stands at the intersection of lifespan and healthspan, by both enabling medical breakthroughs that treat chronic conditions and by giving people tools and data to make impactful lifestyle improvements.

In this article, let’s look at how modern tech will make our lives not just longer, but better. 

The Evolution of Personal Healthcare

In the past healthcare was reactive. It focused on intervention to mitigate symptoms and disease therapy. Technology-enabled healthcare is proactive, leveraging new technologies to prevent symptoms, improve quality of life and drive better health outcomes.

Technologies like AI and machine learning completely transform drug discovery, clinical trials, and treatment, but the impact is also felt in the patients’ day-to-day life.

Wearable devices and health apps can monitor our well-being in real-time, tracking biomarkers, and activity levels, as well as gathering valuable data that can help treat and prevent chronic and age-related diseases.

The data individuals generate daily—from step counts to sleep quality data—is growing exponentially. This phenomenon, known as the "Quantified Self," is revolutionising how we understand our bodies and minds. Besides individual health awareness and health literacy, this data potentially holds critical insights.

The biggest question is how this data can be used ethically and safely.

Data Utilization

Data collection is just the first step. The real value lies in turning this data into actionable insights. 

On their own, tracking metrics like heart rate, blood pressure, or calorie intake can prompt individuals to change their habits for the better, but when made available to clinicians and caregivers this data can be even more impactful.

Wearables already play a crucial role in combating Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s. [3] [4]

Wearables, like smartwatches, allow for around-the-clock monitoring and assistance outside of the hospital or lab setting. This way, even though it’s less disruptive for the patient, the technology enables doctors to have a better understanding of how these conditions affect a particular individual and react quicker, in case intervention is required.

Of course, the accuracy of the data has to be very high to be clinically useful. This underpins a key difficulty in transitioning to newer technologies — a well-planned and well-researched methodology is needed to minimise errors and false positives.

Still, wearable sensors open up novel ways to detect and address symptoms(for example utilising artificial intelligence) while not really interfering with traditional methods of medical examination. 

Big data can also serve as a basis for personalised treatment. By cross-referencing data obtained from wearable devices with clinical history with the help of machine learning algorithms, intelligent systems can help medical practitioners create targeted plans, to tackle anything from poor sleep quality to specific illnesses. 

Timely implementation of these measures elevates the quality of life, elongates healthy years and promotes healthy ageing. Digitally integrated, intelligent personal healthcare isn’t science fiction; it is already possible with current technology.

Monstarlab's Vision for a Healthier Future

At Monstarlab, we're not just observers of this global shift towards a healthier, data-driven lifestyle; we're active participants. As we look to the future, we aim to integrate personal healthcare technologies with broader healthcare systems, creating a seamless flow of data and insights. This will enable individual well-being and more efficient health strategies for both public and private sectors. Integrated systems like Electronic Health Records (EHR) coupled with other telemedicine solutions provide an opportunity to facilitate a collaborative care model, where clinicians, physicians, researchers and other healthcare providers can exchange information effectively to the patient’s benefit. 

However, data privacy concerns challenge technology providers. HIPPA in the USA, Health Data Law in the UAE, GDPR in the EU — all of these regulations recognise the critical importance of protecting personal medical information. When we build our solutions, whether we work on a patient experience or collaborate with R&D, we never forget that this work is ultimately focused on the well-being of millions of people worldwide. 

Closing the Gap between Healthspan and Lifespan

Technology to address the disparity between healthspan and lifespan is 100% there. It’s the futuristic, cutting-edge solutions that will make the most difference, but smartphones, wearables, and utilisation of existing data. By focusing on preventative care, personalised health recommendations, and public health initiatives, those extra years of life expectancy become healthier and happier. 

The recent COVID-19 pandemic taught all of us what humanity is collectively capable of when it comes to public health. And increasing healthspan is a global challenge no different from smallpox or polio—or other lingering issues that humanity has successfully eradicated through progress and innovation.

An investment in health always brings a return. As the productive part of life gets longer economies grow, opening up opportunities for new improvements. 

Through our work in Health and Life Sciences around the globe, we are committed to pioneering solutions that close this gap. We envision a future where the years gained are fully lived, healthspan meets lifespan, and each individual can look forward to a life of sustained well-being.