Human health does not exist in isolation. The conditions of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the spaces we inhabit shape our well-being as profoundly as genetics or medical care. Joe Kiani, Masimo and Willow Laboratories founder, has long emphasized that prevention is the most effective path forward for health. That conviction is also the foundation of Nutu™, his recently launched health app designed to help people make small, sustainable changes in daily habits. His career underscores that the environments we build around ourselves are not neutral. They can either sustain health or undermine it.
The conversation about health often focuses on clinical interventions, but climate and environment play an equally key role. Rising global temperatures, urban air pollution, and degraded ecosystems are placing enormous strain on populations worldwide. At the same time, investments in healthier environments, from clean energy to green urban design, are demonstrating how prevention can extend far beyond individual choices. By 2035, the way societies manage climate and environment may prove to be the single most important determinant of population health.
The Climate Burden on Health
The health consequences of climate change are already visible. Heat waves contribute to spikes in cardiovascular and respiratory illness, while poor air quality is linked to asthma and chronic lung conditions. The World Health Organization estimates that climate change will cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050 from heat stress, malnutrition, and vector-borne diseases. These numbers are not abstract. They represent communities forced to adapt to rising risks with limited resources.
Beyond acute health impacts, the economic costs are staggering. Lost productivity from climate-related illness is already costing billions annually. Farmers in heat-stressed regions face declining yields, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition. Urban workers exposed to pollution experience higher rates of absenteeism and diminished cognitive performance. Climate change is not just a health issue. It is a drag on economic growth and social stability.
Pollution and Everyday Wellness
Air, water, and soil pollution quietly erode human health every day. Urban smog is associated with cardiovascular disease and premature death, while contaminated water sources contribute to gastrointestinal illness and developmental problems in children. Countries with high pollution levels spend a disproportionate share of their healthcare budgets treating preventable conditions caused by environmental exposure.
These impacts underscore the preventive power of environmental regulation. Reductions in air pollutants across Europe and North America have already saved millions of lives and billions in health costs. In the United States, the Clean Air Act is credited with preventing more than 200,000 early deaths annually. These examples show how policy-driven environmental improvements are not only ecological wins but also economic and health imperatives.
Designing Healthier Cities
Urban design plays a significant role in either supporting or undermining wellness. Cities dominated by car traffic, limited green space, and poor walkability encourage sedentary lifestyles and contribute to stress. By contrast, communities with accessible parks, bike lanes, and mixed-use neighborhoods foster physical activity and social connection. Studies consistently show that people living near green spaces have lower rates of obesity, depression, and chronic illness.
The trend toward healthy city initiatives is spreading worldwide. Singapore’s urban planning emphasizes walkability and greenery, while Scandinavian countries are leading in sustainable transportation and active design. In the United States, cities like Portland and Minneapolis are recognized for their investments in bike infrastructure and community parks. These choices demonstrate how built environments shape behavior as much as personal motivation does.
Technology and Environmental Feedback
Technology is increasingly bridging the gap between environmental conditions and personal health. Sensors that monitor air quality, apps that warn users of high pollution days, and platforms that track climate-related health data are empowering individuals to make informed choices. One example is Nutu, a health app designed to support small, sustainable adjustments in daily life. While focused on personal wellness, its underlying principle mirrors environmental prevention. These tools highlight how prevention can extend into the environment itself, offering real-time guidance that helps people make healthier decisions.
Joe Kiani, Masimo founder, explains, “What’s unique about Nutu is that it’s meant to create small changes that will lead to sustainable, lifelong positive results.” His words highlight the broader principle that prevention is not achieved through sweeping transformations but through consistent, modest actions that add up to profound outcomes. For environmental health, as in personal health, the key is steady, cumulative effort rather than dramatic shifts that people cannot sustain.
Aligning Environment with Prevention
The intersection of environment and health highlights the need for integrated strategies. Clean air, accessible green space, and resilient infrastructure are not luxuries. They are preventive health investments. Just as individuals benefit from consistent wellness practices, societies benefit from consistent environmental stewardship. Both operate on the principle that small choices today prevent catastrophic costs tomorrow.
Environmental policy is therefore inseparable from health policy. Governments that reduce emissions, regulate pollutants, and design sustainable infrastructure are investing in public health as much as ecological preservation. Employers that minimize workplace exposure to toxins or promote sustainable commuting contribute to healthier, more productive workforces. The alignment of environmental design with prevention strategies creates a multiplier effect, reducing both illness and inequality.
Policy Pathways for 2035
By 2035, prevention-first societies may embed environmental health into their core policies. Subsidies for renewable energy could be framed not just as climate initiatives but as public health programs. Urban planning laws may require green spaces in new developments, recognizing their preventive impact on physical and mental health. Insurance models could incentivize pollution reduction, linking cleaner environments to lower healthcare costs.
International collaboration will be critical. Just as pandemics cross borders, so do pollution and climate effects. The World Health Organization is already calling for integrated approaches to the environment and health, emphasizing prevention as the link. By the mid-21st century, the countries that thrive will be those that treat environmental health as a cornerstone of national resilience.
A Healthier Future Through Prevention
The influence of climate and environment on human health is profound, but it is not inevitable. Societies have the tools to create environments that support wellness rather than undermine it. The key is prevention, investing in policies, technologies, and cultural practices that align environmental stewardship with human health.
In the decades ahead, the environments we design will determine not only the sustainability of our ecosystems but also the vitality of our populations. By focusing on prevention-first strategies, whether in the form of clean air, green cities, or technology that reinforces healthier habits, communities can create conditions where health is the default. Leaders such as Joe Kiani, Masimo founder, have long underscored the importance of prevention as a guiding principle. The challenge is urgent, but the potential is transformative. It is a future where climate action and human wellness are the same.
