he foundation of any thriving community is rooted in the holistic wellbeing of its people. When individual health is not prioritized, every aspect of society suffers.
Life expectancy is a powerful measure of individual health because it reflects many factors impacting wellbeing including socioeconomic and environmental circumstances. A recent study in The Lancet reported that overall life expectancy in the United States is expected to increase slightly from 78.3 years in 2022 to 80.4 years in 2050—a small increase predicted by a mortality reduction in leading causes of death such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Further progress is expected to be stalled by obesity—expected to impact 250 million people globally by 2050—and substance abuse, as overdose deaths continue to increase significantly around the world.
Investing in people
The news isn’t all dire. We know what we need to do to steer toward greater holistic wellbeing. But transformation will be difficult, requiring comprehensive collaboration both within and across sectors. As a physician, I‘ve witnessed the need for improved communication and efficiency within the healthcare system. The same need undoubtedly exists within the housing, governmental, child welfare, financial, and criminal justice systems, to name a few.
Obesity is a prime example of a global problem requiring multisector interventions. Health professionals must screen for, manage, and promote evidence–based prevention strategies. Schools must better educate youth about healthy habits. The food and agricultural industries must prioritize fresh produce and whole grains over highly processed food. Last but not least, government officials need to create policies that truly benefit their constituents such as subsidizing healthy foods, taxing sugary foods, and investing in pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure.
The overdose epidemic also requires a multidisciplinary approach to first and foremost combat stigma. The World Health Organization reports that drug addiction is the most stigmatized social problem—not just a health problem—globally. Shifting this narrative requires a multi–sectoral approach to de–stigmatize use, recognize substance use disorders when they occur are chronic conditions of the brain, and implement harm reduction and data–driven treatment strategies. This is a dramatic shift from current national policies which largely criminally punish drug use.
Individual health and wellbeing must be prioritized in order to build strong communities. This requires collaboration among multiple industries, across public and private sectors, leveraging global diplomacy and advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence.
a global affairs media network
Thriving communities by investing in individual holistic wellbeing
Photo by Luis Dalvan via Pexels.
January 20, 2025
Thriving communities start with holistic wellbeing, demanding global collaboration to combat obesity, stigma, and health inequities, writes Dr. Lipi Roy.
T
he foundation of any thriving community is rooted in the holistic wellbeing of its people. When individual health is not prioritized, every aspect of society suffers.
Life expectancy is a powerful measure of individual health because it reflects many factors impacting wellbeing including socioeconomic and environmental circumstances. A recent study in The Lancet reported that overall life expectancy in the United States is expected to increase slightly from 78.3 years in 2022 to 80.4 years in 2050—a small increase predicted by a mortality reduction in leading causes of death such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Further progress is expected to be stalled by obesity—expected to impact 250 million people globally by 2050—and substance abuse, as overdose deaths continue to increase significantly around the world.
Investing in people
The news isn’t all dire. We know what we need to do to steer toward greater holistic wellbeing. But transformation will be difficult, requiring comprehensive collaboration both within and across sectors. As a physician, I‘ve witnessed the need for improved communication and efficiency within the healthcare system. The same need undoubtedly exists within the housing, governmental, child welfare, financial, and criminal justice systems, to name a few.
Obesity is a prime example of a global problem requiring multisector interventions. Health professionals must screen for, manage, and promote evidence–based prevention strategies. Schools must better educate youth about healthy habits. The food and agricultural industries must prioritize fresh produce and whole grains over highly processed food. Last but not least, government officials need to create policies that truly benefit their constituents such as subsidizing healthy foods, taxing sugary foods, and investing in pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure.
The overdose epidemic also requires a multidisciplinary approach to first and foremost combat stigma. The World Health Organization reports that drug addiction is the most stigmatized social problem—not just a health problem—globally. Shifting this narrative requires a multi–sectoral approach to de–stigmatize use, recognize substance use disorders when they occur are chronic conditions of the brain, and implement harm reduction and data–driven treatment strategies. This is a dramatic shift from current national policies which largely criminally punish drug use.
Individual health and wellbeing must be prioritized in order to build strong communities. This requires collaboration among multiple industries, across public and private sectors, leveraging global diplomacy and advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence.
