The 11th annual Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore, featured global leaders from health, finance, business, technology, and philanthropy discussing critical issues within the Asia Pacific region and beyond. All public panel discussions are available for playback. For the first time this year, Milken Institute Health was excited to present the Future of Health in Asia, a full day of health programming linked to the Milken Institute’s US-based Future of Health Summit in Washington, DC, and connecting the Institute’s health work around the world.

Here are some of the key trends, ideas, and solutions shared during the Future of Health in Asia.

• Prevention: The aging population and growing prevalence of chronic disease globally have made it imperative for health systems to not only treat diseases but also to prevent them. In a fireside conversation, Ong Ye Kung, the Minister for Health of Singapore, noted that the metrics of success for health systems need to be redefined—the focus should not just be on mortality and lifespan, but rather on closing the gap between health span and life span (i.e., reducing the number of years a person lives in ill health). Healthier SG, Singapore’s national initiative to promote preventive health is intended to be a first step in this direction. In a session on “Shifting from Reactive to Proactive Health,” panelists agreed that government’s role is crucial for creating the environment and incentives that encourage the adoption of preventive health measures, but also saw an opportunity for the private sector to help move the needle by leveraging data and technology, better understanding behavioral barriers, and forging innovative partnerships.

• Aging and Longevity: Longer lifespans coupled with declining birth rates have huge implications for housing and care needs. The senior living market size in the Asia-Pacific region is $59 billion in 2024, with an expected annual growth rate of 7.6 percent, increasing to $98.6 billion by 2031. This growth is driven by consumer demand, advances in technology, changes in the regulatory landscape, and strategic industry developments and investments. There is a long-term investment opportunity for a range of housing options, including home-based care and health services in home and community settings. Innovators across the region and globally have developed senior living and care solutions as not just a way to provide care—from activities of daily living to dementia care—but also for long-term financial security in support of lifestyles in which older adults thrive. Advancements in medicine and public health have contributed to extending lifespans, with more focus on preventative care, so the additional years are healthier ones. Implications of longer lifespans include the need to rethink current labor practices. As the demand for effective aging solutions continues to rise, it is essential to continue uncovering the latest advancements addressing the biology of aging as well as in health, technology, and finance that can lead to optimized physical, emotional, and financial well-being as we age.

• Women’s Health: Women’s health extends beyond gender issues to a broader conversation about equity. Women make up over half the population, and yet little is known about the range of conditions that affect them differently (e.g., heart attacks), disproportionately (e.g., autoimmune conditions), and exclusively (e.g., periods, menopause). In a wide-ranging conversation that covered clinical research, Femtech, health-care delivery, and workforce considerations, a panel of leaders discussed ways to close the women’s health gap. Ideas included looking at the health journey as opposed to episodic care, exploring opportunities to match workforce benefits with the workforce needs (e.g., most health-care workers are women), and emphasizing the importance of funding and sponsorship. Through collaborative and action-based partnerships and networks within and across the health ecosystem, health care can soon become more inclusive of women’s health. 

• Mental Health: Digital mental health strategies vary from navigation, diagnosis, and even treatment (though not everyone responds to digital therapy the same). An abundance of digital mental health apps are available, but a quality gap exists that needs to be addressed. A panel of leaders explored aspects of digital strategies, such as sustainability, payment, workflow, data collection, privacy, security, and integration into health systems. It's a very complex ecosystem, one that should be approached scientifically to bring these strategies to patients, their families, and care teams. Furthermore, the apps would benefit from patient co-design (including those with lived experience) and greater integration as a provided benefit within employer insurance plans.

• Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems: Food systems contribute to one-third of greenhouse gas emissions globally, among other negative externalities, and are also significantly impacted by the resulting climate changes across the food supply chain. Decarbonization is a critical component transforming sustainable food systems, potentially contributing to annual net benefits of up to USD $10 trillion, according to the Food System Economics Commission, through reduced health-care costs from dietary changes, improved livelihoods, and decreased pollution—all while supporting global efforts to remain below key climate thresholds. To drive decarbonization, institutional investors and large food corporations will need to take innovative paths to finance and support the shift toward more sustainable and resilient management of natural capital, including farmland and forests, water, and energy.

Milken Institute Health continues to expand its impact around the world by bringing together leaders to advance discussions, identify solutions, and amplify great work that addresses significant health challenges around the world. We look forward to the 2024 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit in Washington, DC, on November 13–14, and to hosting the second annual Future of Health in Asia at the 2025 Milken Institute Asia Summit next year. Contact [email protected] for more information about our projects, partnership opportunities, and more.