Shifting health challenges

Megatrend

A Megatrend is a long-term driving force that is observable now and will continue to have a global impact in years to come

There is increasing realisation that health is a multifactorial outcome with strong causal links to the environment in which humans and animals live. Factors in nature and society that support health, include food and water, a clean and healthy environment, behaviour, access to art and access to health-supporting systems. Science and better living standards have reduced infectious diseases, and advancements in technology, medicine, genetics and microbiomes are transforming health outcomes, but unhealthy lifestyles, pollution, age and anthropogenic causes are turning into health burdens. 

In developed countries in particular, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (e.g. cardiovascular disease and cancer) are major morbidity and mortality causes. Obesity is becoming a global health issue, while the challenge of malnutrition remains. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the top health threats, mental health challenges are rising and new ‘zoonoses’ (i.e. infections that jump to humans from an animal) are an ever-present risk to global health. At the same time, ‘lessons learned’ from the COVID-19 pandemic, biotechnology advances, personalised medicine and e-health approaches, all bring opportunities. 

This Megatrend is part of the Megatrends Hub