The science of healthy ageing is advancing rapidly, and experts say living beyond 100 may become increasingly realistic for future generations. At the rebranded World Health Expo in Dubai, policymakers, clinicians, and industry leaders explored how societies can prepare for longer life expectancy — and the economic and social implications that come with it.
Global life expectancy currently averages around 73 years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, researchers argue that treating ageing as a modifiable biological process — rather than an inevitable decline — could extend healthy lifespan significantly.
The Longevity Divide
Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, told delegates that longevity science may create a widening gap between those who age healthily and those who depend heavily on medical intervention later in life.
She emphasized that daily habits — nutrition, sleep quality, stress management, and regular movement — influence long-term outcomes more than short-term interventions.
Research increasingly supports the view that chronic disease triggers often begin developing a decade or more before symptoms appear, reinforcing the importance of early prevention strategies.
Biomarkers and Preventive Screening
Aster’s MyAster app integrates a programme called Thrive Health, designed to assess approximately 100 biomarkers in a single screening panel. Such tools aim to personalise preventive healthcare by identifying inflammation markers, metabolic risks, and potential disease susceptibility earlier in life.
Speakers at the event also discussed the potential of expanded biomarker screening at birth. According to data from the World Health Organization – Healthy Ageing Framework, preventive strategies implemented early in life can significantly reduce later-life health burdens.
In the UAE, authorities have already implemented genetic screening initiatives for rare diseases. Details of such programmes can be found through the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
The Economics of Living Longer
Beyond science, the economic consequences of longevity were central to discussions. Healthcare expenditure globally is heavily concentrated in the final years of life. Preventive care remains underfunded compared to late-stage treatment.
According to projections referenced by global consulting firms such as Frost & Sullivan, chronic disease spending is expected to rise sharply worldwide unless prevention becomes a systemic priority.
Industry leaders warned that without a shift toward preventive models — including nutrition reform, lifestyle education, and early diagnostics — health systems may struggle to sustain growing longevity.
A Shift Toward Prevention
The rebranded World Health Expo, hosted at Expo City Dubai, highlighted a broader transformation within regional healthcare strategy. With participation from public authorities and private-sector innovators, the event underscored how preventive medicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and personalised health tracking are shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
Experts agree that while medical innovation may extend lifespan, extending healthspan — the number of years lived in good health — depends largely on choices made decades earlier.
Living to 100 may soon be scientifically plausible. Whether those additional years are vibrant or dependent will depend on how societies invest in prevention today.
Sources
• World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory Data
• WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing Initiative
• Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
• Frost & Sullivan Healthcare Insights
Aisha Al Mansoori is a UAE-based business and technology analyst covering startups, venture capital, AI, fintech, and innovation trends shaping the Emirates’ economy.
