Dreaming of a world free from illness...
Climate change poses a fundamental threat to human health. It impacts the physical environment as well as all aspects of both natural and human systems, including social and economic conditions and the functioning of health systems
Published: 04:09 PM,Sep 02,2025 | EDITED : 08:09 PM,Sep 02,2025
Can we dream of a world that is free from the fear of illness? This vision of a human life free from the scourge of disease is likely as old as humanity itself!
While humans, on average, live longer than before, we now experience certain illnesses at unprecedented levels — including soaring rates of diabetes, obesity, and various infectious, chronic, and mental disorders. The fact is that most of us are sicker than ever.
It's undeniable that global life expectancy saw a remarkable rise throughout the 20th century, growing from around 46 years in 1950 to 73.2 years in 2023. However, a report from the McKinsey Health Institute suggests that this trend does not have to continue in the same way.
The report states that the proportion of people's lives spent in poor or moderate health has remained unchanged at 50 per cent, emphasising, lives lived in poor or moderate health has remained unchanged at 50 per cent.
As researchers point out, daily psychosocial stressors such as financial worries, heavy workload, job insecurity, relationship problems, personal conflict, or the pressures of looking after an ailing parent, child or partner can lead to early death.
Chronic stress can cause depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. It also suppresses immunity and lowers the body’s ability to both fight and recover from illnesses.
Close to three in four deaths worldwide were caused by non-communicable diseases such as heart and lung conditions, stroke, cancers and diabetes, with high blood pressure, bad nutrition and tobacco use being the top three causes of illness and death worldwide.
However, climate change poses a fundamental threat to human health. It impacts the physical environment as well as all aspects of both natural and human systems, including social and economic conditions and the functioning of health systems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete well-being, not merely the absence of disease. Although there are varying degrees of health and illness, it is generally accepted that most people experience some form of health issue, whether physical or mental.
“Weather and climate hazards affect health both directly and indirectly, increasing the risk of death, non-communicable diseases, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, and health emergencies,” WHO said in a recent report.
Data from the global agency indicates that two billion individuals do not have access to safe drinking water, and 600 million experience foodborne illnesses each year. Children below the age of five represent 30 per cent of fatalities caused by foodborne illnesses.
Climate stressors heighten the risks of diseases transmitted through water and food. Climate change affects the availability, quality, and variety of food, thus exacerbating food and nutrition emergencies.
The problem is that diseases progress faster than we do. Contagious illnesses have greatly influenced the health of numerous people. They also negatively impact the economies of many nations, possibly leading to a cycle of poverty.
Employing human-like rational abilities from artificial general intelligence, we foresee a breakthrough designed to revolutionise medicine and pharmaceutical development. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the healthcare sector, generating hope for eventually overcoming serious diseases.
We live in a world with abundant and reachable healthcare, where remedies are available for every disease, and where the origins of illnesses are comprehended, with prevention woven into our everyday practices.
Nonetheless, the desire for an entirely disease-free world will continue to be just a dream, even though our scientists will succeed in eradicating various diseases soon, similar to their achievement 35 years ago when they declared the elimination of the fatal smallpox.
Simultaneously, we must recognise the dedication of healthcare workers worldwide who strive tirelessly, frequently in challenging and hazardous conditions, to address the most urgent health issues facing the world.