Professor John Deanfield explained the value of investing in health now to reap the rewards later
12:00, 20 Apr 2026
The expert is urging people to invest in their health early on for a rewarding future(Image: Getty Images)
Health ought to be treated like a pension scheme, with early commitment yielding better dividends in your later years, a leading cardiologist has stated.
Professor John Deanfield, a cardiology specialist at University College London, cautioned that health strategies too frequently concentrate on addressing the effects of illnesses rather than attempting to prevent them.
In a recent report, he contended that taking steps to enhance your lifestyle and minimise risks early can enable you to enjoy more time without age-related diseases. He explained that making two small, but important lifestyle tweaks can make a big difference.
Prof Deanfield stated: “Lifestyle interventions offer a leveraged return. By managing weight and nurturing the gut microbiome, we do not just avoid a single disease; we delay the onset of multiple comorbidities simultaneously.
“The objective is to secure a ‘golden decade’ – an extended period of healthy life expectancy where the individual is free from the cluster of chronic conditions that typically define old age.”
His remarks were featured in Holland & Barrett’s State of the Nation report, which contained results from an Ipsos survey of over 5,000 adults.
Three-quarters of respondents acknowledged that developing sound health and wellbeing practices now is essential to preventing future illness.
Yet 57 percent confessed they only paid attention to their bodies when something felt amiss and 45 percent only took “proactive action” following a health issue.
A wholesome lifestyle can dramatically reduce the likelihood of numerous debilitating conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and particular cancers, reports the Express.
However, Prof Deanfield stated: “The current model is effectively ‘disease care,’ intervening only when pathology is acute, rather than ‘healthcare,’ which addresses root causes decades before symptoms manifest.”
He encouraged people to consider their health like a pension scheme. “Commencing a pension plan at age 64 is technically possible but strategically disastrous; yet, this is precisely how the majority of the public approaches their physical wellbeing,” the doctor stated.
“By intervening early, individuals accrue ‘compound interest’ on their physiological capital. Health must be viewed not as a lottery, but as an asset class requiring early and consistent investment to yield returns in later life.”
Prof Deanfield noted that the commitment required to secure additional years in good health was frequently less than people might expect.
He explained: “Small increases can produce significant benefits over a lifetime. The preservation of muscle mass – crucial for metabolic health – can be achieved through resistance training and minor behavioural adjustments, such as choosing stairs over elevators.”
Holland & Barrett is providing 300,000 complimentary wellness check-ins monthly in a bid to motivate people to adopt a more proactive stance towards health. Dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton, another contributor to the report, stated: “The UK is living longer but not always living well, with a growing burden of preventable disease and health outcomes that lag behind comparable nations.
“This situation is detrimental for individuals, the workforce, and the NHS. Proactive health habits formed in early adulthood can shape long-term health outcomes and positively impact the future burden of chronic disease.
“However, without accessible, trusted and practical support, many people remain stuck in a cycle of reactive repair.”
