There are plenty of facts about health that do not come as a surprise, like making water your number one go-to beverage. However, there are quite a few little-known facts about health and wellness that are going to shape the future of health and wellness in the future. Learn more about the health facts that are going to change the future of health and wellness.
Healthcare is a Booming Occupation Field
it is estimated that health care occupations are going to be a leader in the employment sector. It is estimated that health care career fields will grow by a whopping 14% between 2018 and 2028, surpassing the average of all other occupations by far. Health care occupations will create about 1.9 million jobs during that ten-year period.
This rapid expansion of health care occupations is no surprise to those that follow the numbers. The population in the United States is aging. The aging population is far more likely to use health care services which, of course, drives the need for more healthcare workers. There is a concern that we may not be able to fill all the positions that are going to open up and may face a healthcare provider shortage.
Of course, the age of the population will play a critical role in the future of health care. There will be a shift in what research is being done to accommodate the aging population, and there will be a shift in care to match senior needs. We are already seeing an uptick in changes in health care to accommodate the growing population of 65 and older Americans.
Americans Are Living Longer
Thanks in part to early interventions and information sharing, Americans are living longer, which will change the landscape of health and wellness in the future. New technologies will be a big feature in health and wellness. Assistive devices will be a prominent feature in both prevention and treatment. Assistive technologies will help us to hear better (about one out of every five Americans suffer from some sort of hearing loss in both ears), stay mobile, and even predict the onset of a heart attack.
Of course, there are already many assistive technologies being used in healthcare and wellness. In the future, you can expect a much greater reliance on these technologies to diagnose, treat, improve quality of life and even extend lives.
How We Get Healthcare is Going to Change Dramatically
During COVID 19, telemedicine became a very popular option. In some cases, it was the only option. More and more people will choose to “see” their doctor online as we move into the future. It is a convenient way to consult with your physician, and in the future, it will become an even more popular method to meet with your doctor. Telemed and video visits with a healthcare provider will eventually become the standard of care.
Genetic Inclinations Will Become Part of Screening
DNA testing has come a long way over the last decade. Today, you can get a DNA screening to see what diseases you are genetically inclined to inherit. DNA screening will become a standard in the future of healthcare. Knowing the potential diseases that you are prone to can help you to make lifestyle changes to avoid them. DNA testing will provide patients with a road map to better understand which “right” turns they should make to reduce risk.
Taking control of your own health and wellness will be a big feature in the future. It is already encouraged, but that encouragement will change to the standard in the future. Not only will we be expected to take the lead on health, but we will also be expected to take control of end-of-life planning as well. The National Funeral Directors Association expects within the next 20 years that about 80% of people will choose cremation for their end-of-life plans. Right now, about 50% of all people who die choose cremation.
It will become the norm for people to make their own choices when it comes to healthcare and end-of-life plans. The patient-doctor relationship will shift from an authoritative (do what the doctor tells you) to a true partnership. The future of health and wellness will be interesting and very different.
