Visionary healthcare CEO outlined the need to act now and change the public health
approach in the region to address future issues around noncommunicable diseases in an ageing population In the Arab region, the population of 65 and above will more than triple by 2050, reaching 102 million The insights were highlighted during the third edition of the Future Health Summit, held today at the Museum of the Future.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1 February 2024: Dr Mehmood Khan, CEO of Hevolution Foundation, a trailblazer in healthcare and longevity, has urged the healthcare community in the region to address the future issues posed by the ageing population now and implement an all-of-society approach to achieve healthy longevity, during his opening remarks at Arab Health’s Future Health Summit held today at the Museum of the Future.
Highlighting healthspan, the period people stay healthy, and lifespan, the period where
people live longer, Dr Khan revealed the global average of years spent in poor health is
9.7 years, underscoring the importance of addressing this challenge and ensuring those
in later life remain independent, cognitive, functional, and contribute directly or indirectly
to communities they live in.
Speaking at the session Bridging the Gap Between Lifespan and Healthspan, Dr Khan
said: “The MENA population most at risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is those over 60 years. Adult obesity is becoming a significant issue and risk factor, and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes represent up to one-third of the disease
burden in the region. Because the population is relatively young, now is the time to
rethink our public health approach to address these future challenges.
“If we can intervene in ageing, society would reap substantial benefits. From reactive
amelioration to proactive prevention, we can diminish vulnerability to future disability for
the ageing population, reduce the infirmities of old age, increase individual productivity,
and decrease healthcare costs globally. Compressing morbidity by 12 months could
generate $40 trillion annually in healthcare cost savings and productivity increases.”
Other speakers at the invite-only event for C-suite executives from the healthcare
industry and government officials included Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth and Dr Michael Ringel, Managing Director of Boston Consulting Group, who discussed The Opportunity for Investment in Longevity Biotech.
Meanwhile, panellists for the discussion on “The Longevity Economy: Navigating the
Next Frontier” included Dr Yoshiki Sawa, Professor at Osaka University and Advisor to
CiRA at Kyoto University; Prof Dr Evelyne Bischof, Founding Vice President of Healthy Longevity Medicine Society and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board at Longevity Science Foundation; Marc P. Bernegger, Founding Partner of Maximon and Longevity Investors Conference.
Closing remarks were made by Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General, Emirates Drug Establishment and Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Abu Dhabi Stem Cells, a PureHealth subsidiary. Center Vice-Chair, Arab Health concludes today, Thursday, 1 February, at 5 pm.
