For Greater Well-being
Chronic diseases are on the rise and are affecting an aging society. Cardiovascular diseases alone claim the lives of around 18 million people each year. At the same time, the number of people over the age of 60 is projected to double to 2.1 billion between 2020 and 2050. But living longer does not necessarily mean living healthier. While global life expectancy is 73.3 years, the average number of healthy life years is only 62.8.
Further developing medical care
Innovative technologies can detect diseases earlier, improve treatments, and ease the burden on medical staff. Compact diagnostic devices, self-medication devices, connected sensors, and digital applications – collectively known as “remote health” – enable medical care even outside of hospitals and doctors’ offices.
This increases the demands placed on medical products. They must be safe, hygienic, reliable, and durable, which requires high-quality materials. In an aging society, assistive devices that support mobility, independence, and quality of life are also becoming increasingly important. Covestro offers high-quality materials for modern medical devices designed for safe use on and inside the body.
Prevention and wellbeing are gaining importance
Today, however, health means more than just treating illnesses. Prevention, fitness, and personal wellbeing are becoming increasingly important. The global wellness economy has already reached a volume of 6.8 trillion U.S. dollars. Nevertheless, in OECD countries, only about three percent of healthcare spending goes toward prevention. As a result, health risks often go undetected for a long time.
However, health management is increasingly becoming part of everyday life. With the help of wearables, health apps, and connected devices, people can track key health data themselves and detect changes early on. This opens up new opportunities for more personalized preventive care and a more health-conscious lifestyle. Covestro offers smart materials for a healthy life.
Covestro: Materials for tomorrow's healthcare
Covestro develops high-performance materials such as polycarbonates, thermoplastic polyurethanes, specialty films, and raw materials for foams and adhesives. These are used in diagnostic devices, wearables, wound dressings, and mobile medical devices – including those for remote health monitoring. At the same time, the company is working on durable, recyclable, and more sustainable materials. The following examples illustrate the wide range of applications.
Growing challenges for healthcare systems
However, in many places, the growing demand for healthcare services is not matched by the necessary resources. Approximately 4.6 billion people lack full access to basic healthcare. At the same time, workforce shortages and rising costs are further exacerbating this situation. By 2030, there could be a global shortage of 11 million healthcare professionals. Rural and economically disadvantaged regions are particularly affected.
Environmental impact is also growing: The healthcare sector is responsible for about five percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes significant amounts of energy and resources. Medical waste further exacerbates this problem. Solutions are needed that combine high-quality care with greater sustainability. With innovative materials, Covestro is helping to advance medical care while conserving resources.
