Health and Wellbeing: Is the healthcare system in crisis or are we the ones in crisis?

In this article, I could talk about the sustainability challenges of the healthcare system and how, to be scalable, it must be based on prevention, self-care, and home monitoring. At Byld, we see a great opportunity in the growth of preventive health, genomics, and personalized well-being. This is why we explore and co-create innovative solutions that not only meet market demands but also challenge current paradigms.

According to a report from Deloitte report, it is expected that the proportion of prevention will surpass that of treatment and assistance, rising from 17% in 2019 to 61% in 2040. Additionally, McKinsey identifies six fundamental dimensions of well-being perceived by consumers: health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness. At Byld, we work on these dimensions, developing projects aimed at improving people's quality of life holistically. If you want to delve deeper into industry data, I invite you to check out our microreport on health and well-being.

However, beyond these figures and trends lies a fundamental question that we cannot ignore: What do we really need as a society to live better? The figures point to a shift towards prevention, but our deep attitudes and beliefs are still influenced by social mandates that directly affect our well-being. Based on in-depth interviews and research in this sector, I have realized that the underlying issues are not being addressed. Current solutions aim to alleviate symptoms - or at least some of them - instead of curing the root causes of diseases. Let’s explore this together to understand what lies beneath. Because something must change when 12-year-old girls ask for skincare products as Christmas gifts.

When did we declare war on wrinkles?

We live in a society where social mandates deeply affect our well-being. There is a worship of youth that makes us believe that aging is a failure rather than a natural and valuable stage of life. This stigma towards old age pushes us to maintain an always youthful appearance, denying us the possibility of accepting and enjoying each stage of our lives with serenity. We see this reflected in millionaires like Bryan Johnson or Dave Pascoe, who occupy that existential void in a race to remain "eternally" young. This ageism governs us, does not allow us to accept the passage of time, and fills us with dread at the thought of getting closer to the end of the road, the dreaded death.

The truth is that life has little value without the presence of its counterpart. It is the ephemeral nature that makes us value and enjoy every second, as the saying goes: "as if it were the last." Practicing deep listening that goes beyond what users tell us helped me understand what is behind their behaviors and attitudes, understand the origin of their beliefs and values, and how they impact their identity. Therefore, one initial conclusion is the impact that seeing life as a gift has on our well-being, allowing us to navigate the days we have the privilege to live with gratitude.

The importance of intergenerational connections.

I have had the opportunity to experience this reality firsthand through a solidarity program I co-founded during the pandemic in 2020 called Estar Juntos, which seeks to promote intergenerational meetings. In these meetings, I witnessed how connections between young and older people generate meaning in the lives of both. Young people encourage older individuals to dream, while older individuals remind them of their roots and help them put their priorities into perspective. They show them that the exam is not a matter of life or death and that what matters is getting up and pursuing one’s passions. These meetings have shown me that true beauty lies in what makes us unique, in the truly authentic aspects of each person, not what the fashion magazine shows us. I assure you that in the senior residences I visited, I found much more beauty than in any fashion show.

At Byld, we understand the importance of learning and connections between generations, and we believe that the design of new solutions should also incorporate this richness.

What is health and well-being?

Health and well-being are concepts we hear constantly. However, when we delve into their definitions, we discover that they are much more than a list of healthy habits or the absence of disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, while well-being goes beyond, encompassing satisfaction, happiness, and harmony with life itself. At Byld, we work on initiatives that focus not only on improving health but also on enriching overall well-being, helping people live with more meaning and connection. Projects like Olivia are born precisely from this intention: to accompany women in every stage of their lives so they can experience holistic fulfillment.

What is the key to happiness?

A fascinating study that has helped better understand what really makes us happy and healthy is the Harvard Adult Development Study, one of the longest studies on happiness. For over 80 years, researchers followed several generations of people, seeking to understand what factors contribute to a fulfilling life. The conclusion is surprisingly simple: quality relationships are what make us happier and healthier. It doesn’t matter the money or professional achievements; what truly matters is having meaningful connections and relationships that provide us with support and affection. I encourage you to keep this in mind both personally and when creating experiences and products.

Health impacts our well-being, but... does our well-being impact health?

A fascinating study that has helped better understand what really makes us happy and healthy is the Harvard Adult Development Study, one of the longest studies on happiness. For over 80 years, researchers followed several generations of people, seeking to understand what factors contribute to a fulfilling life. The conclusion is surprisingly simple: quality relationships are what make us happier and healthier. It doesn’t matter the money or professional achievements; what truly matters is having meaningful connections and relationships that provide us with support and affection. I encourage you to keep this in mind both personally and when creating experiences and products.

Does well-being influence health? What then is the plan or treatment?

We live in a time when it seems that health and well-being are reduced to nutritional supplements, a strict exercise routine, or imposing the highest self-expectations possible. But the truth is that we must also cultivate these quality relationships. At the end of the day, life is about being oneself, being authentic, and surrounding ourselves with people who love us for who we are. The task then consists of accepting the passage of time, living each stage of life as an opportunity for enjoyment and gratitude, accepting ourselves as we are, and questioning whether our decisions are truly ours or those of others.

Moreover, it is important to highlight that fitness plans and routines, diets, and other goals are often oriented towards the future, working with expectations and goals to achieve. However, the serenity and harmony we speak of have to do with the present: with accepting ourselves as we are now and finding peace in our day-to-day lives. In today’s society, it seems we have changed the order of things. We are taught to have, then do, to finally be someone. But in reality, we already are. Regardless of our professional careers or material belongings, we are already enough. Just being myself is perfectly fine. By finding the courage to be authentic, we also find the key to living a full life, filled with meaning and real connections. The harmony of being in concordance with what we think, feel, and do.

Conclusion

Beyond diets, exercise, or the goals we impose on ourselves for self-care, we must not neglect to embrace our vulnerabilities, share our joys and sorrows, and seek relationships that enrich us. At Byld, we work to redefine how we conceive well-being and health, creating solutions that allow people to be themselves, surround themselves with good people, and find in those connections the true meaning of well-being.