Investing more in healthcare by:
Inventing new drugs
Creating innovative equipment
Funding research
Opening gyms
Launching healthcare startups
Developing new wellness supplements every year
This isn’t the right way to solve healthcare issues — it’s a downstream approach.
The upstream approach focuses on creating infrastructure and systems that support health:
Investing in bike paths
Designing walkable roads and no-car zones
Creating more small parks
Installing basic gym equipment in parks
Implementing a no-phone policy in schools to improve engagement among children
Promoting locally sourced and organic food in school meal programs
Strictly regulating pesticide usage
Tight regulations on GMOs
Government negotiating drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies
Banning ultra-processed foods
Invest in anything that prevents health from deteriorating before problems arise.
“Prevention isn’t just better — it’s always superior to cure.”
“We have to be willing to invest in prevention, even if the benefits aren’t immediately apparent.”
— Upstream by Dan Heath