MONTHLY BAROMETER The debate about whether “green growth” will succeed in decoupling GDP growth from the total use of natural resources (that has been raging for years) is now settled by academic research. Every single reputable study shows that, even after accounting for rapid technological innovation and new taxes (such as a global carbon tax), there are physical limits to how efficiently we can use…
An issue to watch is how “digiceuticals” (digital therapeutics) will affect the wellness industry. This new generation of digital medicines that rely on software for curing or managing a disease is booming—200 deals closed in the US in the first half of this year, representing a cumulative investment of $3.4 billion. They go beyond wellness apps, whose purpose is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and…
In Mexican Town With Little Water, Coca-Cola Is Everywhere. So Is Diabetes —The New York Times, July 14, 2018 Drinkable water is increasingly scarce in San Cristóbal de las Casas, a mountain town in Mexico where neighborhoods have running water just a few times a week. So, many residents drink Coca-Cola to hydrate, which is easier to find than bottled water and nearly as cheap.…
There is one particular segment of the wellness industry that is growing fast and that will most likely grow even faster in the years to come: plastic surgery for men. The stigma that has long been associated with it is disappearing, and future growth will be spurred by new attitudes about male grooming and beauty espoused by millennials and younger generations. More “C-level” patients (CEOs,…
The Wellness MoonshotTM The GWI’s Wellness MoonshotTM: A World Free of Preventable Disease is a global call to action. And new research from Harvard University indicates that tackling the world’s obesity crisis may have much to do with mothers. The large study found that if mothers follow five healthy habits—exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, consuming moderate levels of alcohol,…
Women who work long hours appear to be at increased risk for diabetes. In a new study by Canadian researchers analyzing 7,065 workers over 12 years, they found that compared to women who worked 35–40 hours a week, those who worked 45 hours or more had a 51 percent increased risk of diabetes. But there was no effect of working hours on diabetes for men.…
