In 2040, 9 out of 10 meals are within planetary boundaries
SPECULATIVE DESIGN
UBNI - Food as medicine
Ensuring equal access to sustainable and healthy nutrients
Background
Poor dietary habits is one of the largest contributors to the declining public health in Sweden. Excessive energy intake, low consumption of whole grains, and high intake of red meat and processed foods, increase the risk of non-communicable diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This leads to both individual and societal costs, with obesity alone estimated to cost society 125 billion SEK annually. (source)
At the same time, increasing food pricing trends are further exacerbating these issues. Processed and ultra-processed foods are often cheaper than fresh, nutritious options, making unhealthy food more affordable and accessible. This pricing trend contributes to poor diet choices and rising health issues, such as obesity and chronic diseases.
A need for a strong preventative incentivicning system
This trend and effects of unhealthy dietary habits combined with rising food costs creates a pressing need for a strong preventative incentivizing system in Sweden. To address the dual challenges of poor nutrition and escalating food prices, a multifaceted approach is necessary to encourage healthier choices at both the individual and societal levels.
Signals and trends
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Climate change and fragile food systems
Climate change and supply chain volatility due to geopolitical instability are putting our future food security at risk.
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Swedish diets drives public health issues
The prevailing dietary habits in Sweden, including high consumption of processed foods and low intake of healthy, nutrient-rich options, contribute significantly to the rising rates of chronic diseases.
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Food pricing favouring unheathy diets
Processed and ultra-processed foods are often cheaper than fresh, nutritious options, making unhealthy food more accessible to low-income families. This pricing trend contributes to poor diet choices and rising health issues, such as obesity and chronic diseases.
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Rising health inequalities:
Economic disparities often lead to unequal access to healthy, nutritious food, with lower-income populations disproportionately affected by poor diets and the associated health risks.
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Aging population:
As Sweden’s population ages, the demand for healthcare services grows. Preventive approaches that focus on nutrition and healthy eating could reduce the long-term healthcare costs associated with aging-related diseases, improving quality of life and reducing strain on the healthcare system.
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Interest in holistic & preventative healthcare
There is increasing public interest in preventive healthcare, with more people recognizing the link between diet, physical activity, and mental well-being. This shift emphasizes the need to incorporate nutrition and food-based interventions as part of a holistic approach to healthcare.
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Digital health and personalized nutrition
With the growth of digital health tools and personalized nutrition, there is an increasing ability to track individual dietary habits and provide tailored nutritional guidance. Integrating this into the healthcare system could offer more effective and accessible ways to prevent and manage diet-related health conditions.
The future scenario
It is now 2040, food is no longer seen as just a commodity or a consumer good; it is recognized as a vital part of healthcare. In this scenario, food is integrated directly into the healthcare system, functioning as a powerful tool for prevention and disease management. When a person is identified as being at risk, they are enrolled in a personalized health plan that includes additional UBNI (Universal Basic Nutrient Intake) credits. These credits, specifically earmarked for health-improving diets, allow patients to access a wide range of nutritious, sustainable food products that are tailored to meet their specific health needs. The credits function much like a voucher system, providing financial support to help patients afford the foods that will best support their health and prevent further illness.
In addition to the nutritional credits, patients receive a complementary diet plan designed by healthcare professionals and nutrition experts. This plan is integrated into their long-term healthcare strategy and aligned with their overall wellness goals. It includes guidance on making healthier food choices, tips for improving cooking habits, and specific food recommendations to combat or prevent diseases. Patients are encouraged to incorporate these dietary changes into their daily lives, with the help of continuous follow-up sessions with their private physicians. These check-ins not only monitor progress but also adjust the plan as needed to optimize the patient’s health outcomes.
Real life prototype
The model will be tested in a small scale in real-world settings to provoke discussions about how this model could proactively work to impact citizents dietary choices to prevent diet-related diseases, enhance patient recovery, and reduce the overall burden on healthcare systems. The test will be carried out in collaboration with the plattform Mylla.se and the heart and lung-association in Malmö(?).
More information coming soon
Impact on society
The system shifted the focus of healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. By providing individuals with the right tools—proper guidance, financial support, and access to healthy food—this model empowers patients to take control of their health before diseases manifest or worsen. The integration of food as part of the healthcare journey ensures that dietary changes become a natural extension of overall wellness practices.
The impact of this shift is significant. It leads to long-term healthcare savings by reducing the incidence of costly, chronic diseases that require extensive treatment. It also generates resource savings, as prevention through diet reduces the need for pharmaceutical interventions, hospitalizations, and long-term care associated with diet-related diseases. By preventing the onset of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, individuals live healthier, longer lives, which benefits not only the patients but also the broader healthcare system.
For society, food as medicine means a future where healthcare is not limited to the treatment of illness but expands to include the maintenance of good health. It is a future where food is seen as a critical investment in public health, offering an equitable and sustainable approach to disease prevention. Through the integration of food into healthcare, we move toward a future where the focus is on well-being rather than simply treating symptoms.