Taking The Wheel: A Proactive Approach to Improving Longevity

Global life expectancy has steadily grown over the last few decades and is predicted to continue to improve as healthcare advances around the world. In the United States, the average lifespan in 2022 was approximately 78 years old, and this number is expected to reach nearly 80 years by 2035. While this is undoubtedly good news, the prevalence of chronic disease has also increased as people live longer lives. The quest for longevity is therefore not just about living longer, but about maintaining a high quality-of-life during old age. Fortunately, our modern understanding of biological systems can provide powerful insights on how to work towards a healthier future. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of taking a proactive approach to patient health with preventative care and examine how to bring a personalized approach to improved longevity.

Prioritizing a preventative approach

Our bodies undergo varying degrees of wear and tear as we travel through life. Sometimes these injuries are easily noticed: a sunburn, a twisted ankle, a rash. Other damages accumulate in our cells and tissues where they’re not as easily observed but have just as big of an impact on our health. For example, chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are all linked to prolonged periods of inflammation, which can often occur asymptomatically for years before causing serious issues.

The most effective way to prevent these diseases, and therefore improve long-term quality of life, is through a preventative care model of medicine. However, many patients may be reluctant to seek care when feeling healthy. This hesitance may be due to past medical trauma, financial concerns, or simply not understanding the benefits of preventative care. Building a relationship of trust with your patients can go a long way towards removing these roadblocks.

It’s important to approach patient care as one of collaborative partnership, rather than paternalism. Work with patients to help them understand the value of preventative medicine in promoting long-term health and autonomy. As part of this partnership, it’s important to learn whether your patient has a background of medical trauma or if there are systemic inequities that affect how they navigate their healthcare journey. This can allow healthcare teams to practice trauma-informed communication, building a stronger relationship that benefits healthcare providers and their patients.

Financial concerns can also prevent patients from seeking preventative care. In 2023, roughly two out of five adults (aged 19-64) report delaying or skipping parts of their health care due to medical costs. It’s important to help patients understand that preventative care is a long-term investment in their health. Providers can also work to implement sliding-scale payment models or bundle assessments with other services to reduce barriers to access. For many patients, providing them with concrete, data-driven insights and actions can also help them recognize the value of preventative care.

Looking under the hood

Providers are already familiar with the inclusion of bloodwork as part of the yearly check-up routine, and recognize the value of lab tests on cholesterol or glucose levels. However, these tests frequently only examine a narrow set of biomarkers and don’t provide the full picture. A more comprehensive and thorough biomarker panel can better empower shared decision-making as patients become better informed of their internal risk markers.

Many physicians are likely aware that chronological age is a poor proxy for physiological health, which is heavily influenced by lifestyle choices and genetics. To gain a more nuanced understanding of biological aging requires incorporating markers of hormonal status and balance, glycemic control, metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, lipid abnormalities, immune system health, and more. Put together, these factors determine a person’s biological age. Incorporating biological age assessments empowers clinicians to reframe conversations around aging and chronic disease prevention, and enables a transition from reactive care to proactive, systems-based interventions.

For example, a patient who presented with elevated inflammation markers could prompt clinicians to search for hidden sources of inflammation, such as gut dysbiosis or environmental exposures. A comprehensive blood panel may also reveal early signs of insulin resistance and chronic glycemic exposure, prompting patient conversations focused on diabetes prevention strategies. Likewise, an assessment of thyroid and hormonal health can help to address patient concerns around low energy, motivation, or metabolism. Integrating thorough blood panels into routine care can serve as an efficient catch-all test for providing personalized guidance on preventative care and can even help address existing symptoms.

Recommending preventative health measures such as regular exercise and a good diet have long been recognized as important. Blood biomarker tests are simply the newest tool in the preventative care kit, looking under the hood at how genetics and lifestyle choices are impacting the body. With these panels, healthcare teams can identify concerns before they interfere with daily life, helping patients chart the path for a healthier lifespan.

Taking charge of your longevity 

It’s never too late to help your patients take control of their health. Our bodies are incredibly resilient, and new therapies emerge every day that assist in the healing process. When you equip patients with a deeper understanding of their bodies, they are better prepared to act on medical advice, giving extra attention to concerning biomarkers before they begin causing problems. There are no shortcuts on the road to longevity, but a comprehensive biomarker panel can get you and your patients pointed in the right direction. Whether they’ve just completed their last marathon or they’re ready to start a new health journey, a comprehensive blood panel can give healthcare teams the map they need to navigate towards a longer, healthier lifespan.

Photo: Ridofranz, Getty Images

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