Dr. Mehmet Oz, currently leading the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, recently articulated the profound connection between public health advancements and economic growth during a White House press briefing. His central argument focused on how raising the overall health standards of the American population could extend individuals’ capacity to remain in the workforce, directly translating into massive economic benefits.
According to Dr. Oz, currently, the average retirement age in the United States stands approximately at 61 years. Should Americans be able to maintain their health sufficiently to work an additional year beyond this average, the cumulative effect would result in trillions of dollars augmenting the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). He underscored that this increase stems from the heightened productivity of workers who remain active in the labor market for longer periods.
Moreover, Dr. Oz highlighted that improvements in health are intrinsically tied to reductions in healthcare costs. Healthcare expenses, especially those linked to chronic illnesses and conditions like obesity, comprise a significant portion of government spending. By preventing the onset of such diseases, the United States could see a notable decline in drug prescriptions and associated spending.
Dr. Oz referenced the Trump administration's revised dietary guidelines, which advocate for prioritizing whole foods, proteins, and healthy fats while limiting ultraprocessed foods and added sugars. He suggested that adherence to these guidelines could lead to a diminished reliance on costly pharmaceutical treatments such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and medications for autoimmune disorders by mitigating the development of chronic conditions. This preventative nutritional approach emphasizes the concept that a nation’s wealth is inextricably linked to the health of its population.
Supporting his argument with data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Oz pointed out that obesity-related expenditures account for roughly 30% of the entire Medicare budget, equating to about $300 billion annually. A conservative estimate indicating a 10% reduction in obesity prevalence could potentially reduce Medicare expenses by $30 billion, illustrating significant potential savings.
Focusing on early intervention, Dr. Oz stressed the importance of targeting children, given that approximately 53% of U.S. children receive health coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Educational initiatives aimed at equipping families with the knowledge and resources to implement the updated dietary guidance could dramatically alter health trajectories and improve life participation across generations.
At the same event, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voiced a complementary viewpoint, emphasizing the need for initial investments in education and access to nutritious food to realize long-term reductions in healthcare expenditures. He remarked that the perception of processed foods as inexpensive is misleading because the downstream costs manifest as increased incidences of diabetes, obesity, and various illnesses.
This long-range perspective on health investments aligns with emerging investor interests in sustainable economic growth. Platforms such as Fundrise are highlighted as examples of opportunities enabling broader access to private market innovation and real estate investments focused on durable, wide-ranging expansion in key sectors including technology and infrastructure. This reflects a growing recognition that economic and health improvements are mutually reinforcing targets.