I’ve followed Abu Dhabi Health Week from afar, and I find myself still thinking about the energy and optimism that surrounded the conversations on precision medicine and longevity. There’s something exhilarating about seeing the future of healthcare come to be—AI, genomics, new therapeutics, all promising to help us live longer, healthier lives. It’s hard not to get swept up in the promise of it all! I’m proud to be part of a community that’s pushing the boundaries of Precision Medicine.
But as I look at all these technological leaps, I keep coming back to something much simpler, and perhaps equally important: the lessons from the Harvard Study of Adult Development. For over eight decades, this study followed people’s lives, asking what really matters when it comes to living well and living long. The answer, it turns out, isn’t (only!) found in a lab or a genome sequence. It’s found in the quality of our relationships. Good connections—real, supportive, sometimes messy relationships—are better predictors of health and happiness than cholesterol levels or even genetics (but insulin resistance is still a no-no!).
In our rush to build the future of medicine, are we forgetting something essential? We talk a lot about empathy in technology, and while much progress is being made, let’s be honest—no matter how many times we program a chatbot to say “I understand,” technology is still cold at its core. It doesn’t give you a warm handshake or a knowing smile. And while virtual relationships can help, they’re not the cure for the social isolation that seems to haunt modern life. In fact, despite being more “connected” than ever, many people feel lonelier and more isolated—the “loneliness paradox.” Digital ties can’t yet fully replace the depth and comfort of real-world connection.
Maybe it’s time to broaden our focus, to go beyond medical, preventive, technology-assisted interventions, into nurturing richer lives. I believe it’s time we bring this human dimension into our work, to extend our longevity initiatives to support not just physical health, but also help people build stronger relationships and find more joy in their lives. I’m certain that with creativity and intention, we can imagine ways for technology to truly bring us closer—serving as a bridge, not a barrier, to more meaningful, human connection.
· Harvard Study of Adult Development – Official Website
· Robert Waldinger’s TED Talk: What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness