The way in which the topic of health is looked at has changed. Health is increasingly being regarded as a task for society as a whole. The “Zukunftsinstitut” views this as a new megatrend. 

One particular symptom cannot be regarded in isolation from the rest of the body. The mental state of the person concerned has to be taken into consideration at the same time, as do their habits, their social integration, their working environment, and their environment.

Health is nutrition

One’s own dietary style is linked to lifestyle, to values, and to one’s origin. Morals and values often play a major role in a vegetarian (meat-free) or vegan (purely plant-based) diet. Plant-based alternatives are not only deemed to be good for one’s own health, but also for the environment and the planet as a whole.

Health is self-optimization

Sport characterizes the lifestyle of many people. In addition to a healthy diet, training one’s own body plays an important role in many people’s lives. This is often linked to striving for optimized performance. Health and self-optimization are intertwined. Amongst other methods, this is done by means of digital self-tracking, in which sleep, exercise, and nutrition are recorded and analyzed using apps, pedometers, or tracker armbands.

Health is preventive care

Preventive healthcare is intended to maintain the current state of health and reduce the risks of certain diseases. This is achieved by proactive health screenings, a healthy lifestyle, or early measures such as learning stress management strategies. This is supported by health insurance companies and corporate health management, for instance.

Health is digital

According to a survey conducted among industry experts, expenditure on digital healthcare products and services could reach 979 billion euros worldwide by 2025. Almost one in five Germans now has a health app on their cell phone. For instance, a pedometer can remind you to exercise today, a nutrition app can help you to eat less sugar, and a menstruation app can remind you to take dietary supplements adapted to your menstrual cycle.

Health is also female

“FemTech” is the name given to the portfolio of technical products that are tailored specifically to the needs of the female population. These can range, for instance, from apps for issues related to pregnancy that have been developed together with midwives to multisensory armbands that determine women's fertile days. 

Health is mental

Mental ailments such as depression, anxiety disorders and the like are now regarded as serious illnesses. Excessive stimulation and information, pressure to perform, and the need to self-optimize are increasingly leading to mental illnesses. Mental health is therefore increasingly becoming an issue for individuals and health insurance companies, but also for educational institutions and employers.

Health is HR

This holistic understanding of health also has consequences for corporate health management. “Corporate health” is not only concerned with healthy food in the canteen and an ergonomically designed workplace. The working atmosphere as well as handling stress and conflicts are also central elements.

Young people, in particular, are more health-conscious than ever before and are sensitive to working environments that do them no good. Enabling flexible working hours and working from home also establishes working conditions that are beneficial to health.