World Health Day 2025: Preventive Care, Surgical Advances & The Future of Healthcare

 As we approach World Health Day 2025, it’s a timely opportunity to reflect on the profound impact our daily choices have on our health. Have you ever stopped to think about how your daily choices shape your health and future? Prioritizing lifestyle choices, addressing the rising burden of lifestyle diseases, and advancing medical solutions are crucial to improving long-term health outcomes. The choices we make — whether it’s the food we eat, how active we are, or how we manage stress — play a crucial role in shaping our overall well-being.

The Shift in Global Health Challenges

Thanks to significant scientific and technological advancements, many infectious diseases that once took countless lives have been reduced or eliminated. However, with longer life expectancy comes a new set of challenges — non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as lifestyle diseases. These diseases are intricately linked to modern habits, such as poor eating, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. As countries industrialize and life expectancy increases, NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, are becoming more prevalent. Not only do these diseases affect the quality of life, but they also contribute to premature mortality and disability.

The Growing Concern of Lifestyle Diseases

The growing prevalence of NCDs brings us to the heart of the issue — lifestyle diseases that affect millions globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs are now responsible for more than 60% of global deaths. In India, the situation is similarly alarming, with NCDs accounting for 53% of total deaths. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality, and what’s even more concerning is that these diseases are increasingly affecting younger populations. Once considered illnesses of the elderly, NCDs are now shifting to individuals in their 30s, with younger generations facing higher risks.

These conditions not only impact individual lives but also place a significant burden on healthcare systems and economies. Preventive care, early diagnosis, and improved medical solutions are essential in addressing this issue.

Fig. 1: WHO NCDs Statistics [1]

Blood Management: Bridging Lifestyle Diseases and Surgical Innovation

As lifestyle diseases progress, many patients eventually require surgical interventions to manage complications — be it blocked arteries, organ failure, or tumor growth. For surgeons, this shift from prevention to intervention highlights the critical role of intraoperative precision and preparedness.

One of the most important contributors to surgical success is effective bleeding control. Uncontrolled hemorrhage increases operative risks, extends recovery times, and elevates the chance of post-operative complications. That’s why haemostasis has become a cornerstone of modern surgical protocols — especially in the treatment of advanced-stage NCDs. As the demand for complex surgeries rises, innovations in bleeding management are key to improving outcomes and patient safety.

Surgical Interventions for Lifestyle Diseases

Many chronic lifestyle-related conditions ultimately require surgical treatment to improve patient quality of life and survival. Common interventions include:

• Cardiac Bypass Surgery: Used to treat severe coronary artery disease by bypassing blocked arteries, helping restore blood flow to the heart.

Fig.2: Sternal bleeding control using gelatin patches [2]

• Bariatric Surgery: Used to treat severe obesity, bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy help individuals achieve significant weight loss and reduce health risks.
• Tumor Resection: Surgical removal of tumors is critical in cancer treatment, with procedures like mastectomy or prostatectomy often employed to remove malignant growths.

Fig. 3: The application of FlosealHaemostatic Matrix on the bleeding fungating cancer: (A) a Floseal applied, the wound covered with a breathable mesh dressing, and (B, C) dressing exposed after 24 hours, with significant improvement of bleeding [3]

• Kidney Transplant: Used to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), kidney transplantation offers a life-saving alternative to dialysis, significantly improving survival and quality of life.

Aegis Lifesciences: Leading the Charge in Surgical Care

At the forefront of enhancing surgical care, Aegis Lifesciences plays a crucial role in improving surgical outcomes with a diverse range of haemostatic products. Haemostats, essential in controlling bleeding during surgeries, are instrumental in reducing complications and speeding up recovery.

Aegis Lifesciences Advanced Haemostatic Solutions

Haemostatic agents play a vital role in modern healthcare by effectively managing bleeding during surgical procedures, reducing complications, and improving patient outcomes. Excessive bleeding can lead to extended surgery times, increased risk of infections, and delayed recovery. By ensuring rapid and efficient haemostasis, these products enhance surgical precision, reduce the need for blood transfusions, and contribute to better post-operative healing.

Explore our comprehensive lineup of innovative haemostatic products designed to elevate surgical precision and patient safety:

SURGISPON®: Absorbable gelatinsponges and haemostatic powder, ideal for controlling bleeding across a wide range of surgeries, from general to specialized procedures. These help minimize intraoperative blood loss, supporting faster healing.

Surgi-ORC®: A plant-based haemostat made from Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose (ORC), designed to control capillary, venous, and minor arterial bleeding effectively.

FLOGEL®: A flowable haemostatic matrix kit designed ideal for minimally invasive surgeries.

SURGISPON® DIAL:An absorbable gelatin sponge designed for post-renal dialysis patients to effectively control bleeding at the puncture site.

By providing these advanced haemostatic solutions, Aegis Lifesciences contributes to safer, more efficient surgeries, improving patient recovery times and overall healthcare outcomes. These innovations empower surgeons with better control over bleeding, ultimately leading to reduced hospital stays and enhanced patient safety.

A Call to Action: Prioritize Health Today

This World Health Day, let’s commit to our health and take concrete steps toward a healthier future, not just for ourselves, but for those around us. Whether through preventive care, early intervention, or leveraging cutting-edge medical solutions, we all play a part in fostering a healthier future. The choices we make today have the power to create a healthier tomorrow.

Simple changes like choosing more whole foods, committing to regular physical activity, and reducing stress can drastically improve our health. Together, we can create a world where health is prioritized every day. Let’s work together to address the growing burden of lifestyle diseases, prioritize health, and support the continued progress of medical advancements. Our collective efforts can shape a healthier, more sustainable world for generations to come.