'Nobody wants to go see a doctor': Dubai's push for longevity and what residents think

Dubai has been discussing longevity extensively in the past week. On Sunday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, endorsed the Dubai Longevity Authority's strategy. This plan aims to contribute over Dh35 billion to the emirate's economy within a decade, with an annual growth rate of approximately 31 percent.

On International Longevity Day, October 1, Aster DM Healthcare hosted a panel event at Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz to explore what longevity means for ordinary people, not just the affluent, and introduced Thrive by myAster, a home test analyzing over 100 biomarkers.

Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, emphasized that longevity is about how many years are spent in good health rather than simply adding more years to life. According to her, while average life expectancy in the UAE is around 78 years, healthy life expectancy is only about 67, leaving 10 to 11 years spent living with illness or frailty. She noted that our first 30 years are protected, but the deterioration begins around the age of 25 to 40.

Moopen observed that people are increasingly reluctant to visit doctors, stating, "Nobody wants to go see a doctor." She suggested that expensive biohacking protocols are not feasible for most people, costing about Dh3.7 million to Dh7.3 million. Instead, she advocated for the basics outlined in Naval Ravikant's "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant": a fit body, a calm mind, and a house full of love. These elements cannot be purchased; they must be earned.

The Thrive by myAster test involves a technician collecting fasting blood and urine samples in the morning, with results available on the myAster app within about two days. The report categorizes over 100 biomarkers by body system, such as the heart, liver, kidneys, metabolism, and hormones, and flags areas requiring attention. A video consultation with a doctor is also included.

Moopen emphasized that the consultation aims to prevent people from guessing which supplements to take, advising that one might not need certain supplements, while others might benefit from specific vitamins or no supplements at all. She expressed that she used to wear multiple fitness trackers, but Thrive simplifies her health monitoring to twice a year.