AI As A Social Determinant And Catalyst of Holistic Health
As the global community formulates the next iteration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is essential to prioritize a holistic perspective on wellbeing. Shifting from a disease-centric model to a salutogenic approach—focusing on factors that support human health and well-being—can help us understand the mutual influence between individuals and their environment. In this context, AI has the potential to propel this transformative shift. The current narrow conceptualization of health fails to capture the complex interplay between physical, psychological, internal, and external factors. This limited view overlooks critical issues such as brain health, dental hygiene, mental health, and environmental sustainability. Addressing these factors is crucial to achieving lasting planetary balance and reducing health inequities.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and oral diseases, account for 71% of global deaths—over 41 million annually—while diminishing the quality of life for millions more. The economic burden of these diseases could reach $47 trillion by 2030. Additionally, the global burden of disease, measured by Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), highlights the significant impact of NCDs beyond mortality rates alone. Oral diseases exemplify the broader issue of NCDs, contributing substantially to DALYs and quality of life degradation. Despite their profound impact, oral health issues have historically received limited public attention and international funding, perpetuating cycles of poverty and health disparities.
To achieve sustainable well-being, it is vital to adopt a holistic approach that considers the individual from the inside out and the outside in, acknowledging the interconnection between human health and planetary health. This approach requires a transdisciplinary, multidimensional strategy that addresses traditionally overlooked domains like oral health and mental well-being. Harnessing existing resources—knowledge, funds, infrastructure, human capital, and new technologies like AI—is essential for a sustainable and inclusive healthy future.
We advocate for 1) an agenda that extends beyond the current SDG Goal 3 to encompass a Holistic Health approach, empowering individuals to proactively manage their health in alignment with their values and preferences. This approach, rooted in AI Agency-Activation, recognizes the interdependence of human health and the health of our planet. In this undertaking 2) Ai must be framed as a social determinant of Health, not merely an economic factor like past innovations. AI, if designed and implemented with the ambition of holistic health, can serve as a catalyst for the well-being of both people and the planet. To achieve this, AI must be framed as a social determinant of health rather than a commercial determinant. At the core of this new perspective is the empowerment of individuals as agents of change, supported by AI on their lifelong journey of physical and mental well-being.
Key Message: A holistic, transdisciplinary approach to health can substantively alleviate the burden of non communicable diseases and their consequences. People and planet are part of the same equation. If it is designed and used with a prosocial intention AI may serve to catalyze an overdue paradigm shift towards comprehensive well-being as a human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Starter Questions: * What does a 360-degree understanding of physical and mental wellbeing entail? * How can AI be leveraged to expand access and quality of health services while considering the impact on planetary health? * How can AI be harnessed as a pro-social determinant?
Definition : Prosocial AI refers to artificial intelligence systems designed to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities by promoting positive social behaviors, fostering collaboration, and supporting ethical decision-making. These AI systems are intentionally developed to align with human values and societal goals, ensuring that their influence contributes to the common good and nurtures harmonious relationships within diverse communities.