Insights from STING Day shared by Maja Magnusson, CEO and co-founder of Care to Translate.
2024-10-24
Blog
At STING Day, a premier event where Nordic investors and entrepreneurs converge, I had the privilege of moderating a panel on a topic that's becoming increasingly urgent in today's world: Healthcare 2023 - Going from reactive to proactive. This is not just a buzzword, but a fundamental shift in how we approach health, wellness, and disease prevention.
In the context of STING Day, an invite-only event that brings together over 400 guests, including more than 200 investors from 15 countries and 60+ handpicked startups, this conversation felt particularly relevant. With the energy and innovation flowing through the room, it became clear that we are at a turning point in how we think about health care and what the future holds.
To open the panel, I shared a perspective that I strongly believe in: the healthcare system isn’t broken, it’s outdated. In a world that’s evolving faster than ever, our healthcare models have simply failed to keep pace.
In the last century, we’ve seen incredible advances in global health. Child mortality has been reduced by 50%, life expectancy has increased by over 20 years, and many diseases that were once considered death sentences are now manageable or even curable.
“These achievements are monumental. But today, our challenges are different.”
The rise of chronic diseases, the pressures of an aging population, and the skyrocketing costs of health care all signal that our reactive approach, waiting for illness to appear before we act, is no longer sustainable. It’s time to shift gears.
We need a system that doesn’t just treat diseases after they occur but prevents them before they start. And this shift isn’t only about adopting the latest technologies or treatments. It requires a complete rethinking of what we mean by “health.” As Hippocrates once said, “The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it.”
“If we could integrate this mindset into our healthcare systems, the impact would be transformative.”
Millions of lives could be improved, healthcare costs could be drastically reduced, and the burden on our hospitals and healthcare professionals could be significantly eased. But to make this happen, we need to focus on three key areas:
We must empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to take control of their health. This means more than just telling people to eat healthier or exercise more. It involves creating a culture where preventive care is prioritized, and people have the support they need to live healthier lives.
The future of health care lies in technologies that predict and prevent illness. Imagine tools that can alert you to potential health issues long before symptoms appear or personalized treatments tailored to your unique genetic makeup and lifestyle. This is not a distant dream; it’s within reach.
To fuel this shift from reactive to proactive care, we need to see significant investments in health care. This includes not only financial capital but also intellectual and creative capital from both public and private sectors. Investors attending STING Day have a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this healthcare revolution, backing startups and scale-ups that are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
As I mentioned during the panel, we are at a critical moment, a turning point in human health. The data is already showing us what’s possible, and the question now is: Are we ready to make it happen?
The conversation at STING Day reflected this urgency.
“The startups present weren’t just thinking about how to create the next big thing, they were focused on creating solutions that have a lasting impact on people's lives.“
From AI-driven health diagnostics to wearable devices that monitor vital signs in real time, the ideas we discussed were more than just innovative. They were actionable steps toward a healthier future.
For investors, this means getting behind solutions that not only promise a return on investment but also contribute to societal well-being. For entrepreneurs, this means staying laser-focused on how their innovations can bridge the gap between where health care is today and where it needs to be tomorrow.
As we wrapped up the panel discussion, one thing was clear: the shift from reactive to proactive health care is no longer a choice, it’s a necessity.
“The challenges we face, from rising healthcare costs to an aging population, won’t solve themselves.”
It’s up to us, as entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders, to drive the change needed to keep up with the evolving demands of modern health care.
We don’t have all the answers yet, but by investing in education, innovation, and health care itself, we can move toward a future where people are healthier, health care is more sustainable, and the system works for everyone.
At STING Day, the energy was palpable. The ideas shared weren’t just about disruption for the sake of disruption, they were about creating meaningful, lasting change. The conversation has started, and the momentum is building. The question now is, will we keep it going?
I didn’t address this during the panel discussion, but given my work in addressing language barriers in health care, it's clear that these barriers play a major role in hindering the shift from reactive to proactive care.
Communication is at the core of health education, patient empowerment, and preventive care, yet millions of people around the world struggle to access accurate information due to language differences. This not only affects their ability to understand basic health advice but also prevents them from engaging with new preventive technologies, monitoring tools, and early intervention strategies. Without clear, accessible communication, patients are left reactive - turning to healthcare systems only after illness manifests, instead of being equipped with the knowledge and tools to stay healthy in the first place.
Care to Translate has shown that multilingual tools and culturally sensitive communication can bridge this gap, enabling more individuals to proactively manage their health. By ensuring that everyone, regardless of language, can access health information, we unlock a future where proactive care is possible for all.
If you would like to invite our CEO, Maja Magnusson, as presenter, panelist or moderator at your event, please contact us at info@caretotranslate.com.
And feel free to learn more about our solutions or get in touch with us here.
