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The Value of Health and Longevity is an in-depth, The Value of Health and Longevity is an in-depth, economics-driven exploration of why improvements in health, life expectancy, and disease prevention create extraordinary social and economic value—far greater than what is reflected in traditional GDP metrics. The paper argues that health is the most important form of human capital, and that longer, healthier lives are among the most powerful drivers of sustained economic prosperity.
Drawing on the work of the Lown Institute and building on the landmark insights of health economists such as David Cutler and Nobel laureate Angus Deaton, the document quantifies the enormous benefits that medical progress has delivered over the past century. It highlights that gains in longevity have contributed more to national well-being than virtually any other economic achievement, and that each additional year of life expectancy yields trillions of dollars in societal value when considering productivity, reduced disease burden, and enhanced quality of life.
The report emphasizes that historical improvements in cardiovascular care, vaccines, infection control, maternal health, and chronic-disease management have delivered some of the greatest returns on public investment in modern history. It demonstrates that even modest future improvements—such as reducing cancer mortality or slowing age-related disease—would generate economic benefits that dwarf typical innovation investments.
A central theme is the need for a more preventive, equitable, and value-conscious healthcare system. The authors warn that U.S. healthcare is simultaneously expensive and inefficient, delivering below-potential health outcomes despite the world’s highest spending. They argue that policies must shift toward reducing waste, expanding access to effective care, and addressing social determinants of health.
In its closing sections, the paper calls for a new national commitment to long-term health innovation, including longevity science, early-stage disease detection, and public-health infrastructure. It asserts that viewing health as an economic engine—not merely an expenditure—can guide better policymaking, shape smarter resource allocation, and unlock vast economic potential for future generations.
If you'd like, I can also prepare:
✅ a one-page executive summary
✅ a bullet-point key insights list
✅ a quiz or study guide
Just let me know!... |