Why are chronic diseases rising — and why are they shortening life expectancy in countries like the U.S. and U.K.? This chapter reveals a simple but uncomfortable truth: the vast majority of chronic illness is preventable, yet our healthcare systems invest almost nothing in real prevention.
Just 15 common conditions—from depression and back pain to diabetes, heart disease, COPD and cancer—drive 80% of all chronic-disease costs. And all are strongly influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors. But while we know the key risks—poor sleep, chronic stress, inactivity, unhealthy diet, alcohol, smoking, and missed preventive care—people often start changing only once disease has already appeared. By then, true prevention is no longer possible.
Even worse: during the crucial years from age 18 to 35, when prevention would have the greatest impact, our healthcare systems offer almost nothing. Routine check-ups don’t help. Education, coaching, and structural measures like sugar, alcohol, and tobacco taxes would work—but we spend just 1% of the health budget on prevention.
This episode exposes why prevention has failed—and why fixing it is essential for the future of medicine.
More information at https://haraldschmidt.online
Contact: harald.schmidt@mac.com
