Middle-aged seekers

"Longevity is not just about living longer. It's about living longer in good health," said Shi Haoying, founder and CEO of SinoUnited Health.

She said what makes her clinic different is "personalized precision medicine", which uses cutting-edge technologies to predict, prevent, and manage health risks before they escalate, rather than just treating diseases after they occur.

In August, under the guidance of the Mayo Clinic, the United States-based medical group that introduced longevity clinics, SinoUnited Health opened a longevity clinic in Shanghai after making preparations for over a year.

Its multidisciplinary team includes experts in cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, sports medicine, nutrition, sleep, psychology, general practice, and traditional Chinese medicine. The clinic integrates genetic testing, and molecular and proteomics analysis with advanced imaging and digital platforms, applying the latest global advances in lifestyle medicine and precision healthcare. Innovative therapies, for example, include fecal microbiota transplantation for gut health, a key component of personalized metabolic and immune regulation.

Yan Yiwen, a senior physician at the clinic, said the first step for visitors is a comprehensive health evaluation.

In addition to routine chronic disease management tests like blood lipid and blood glucose levels, the evaluation includes early cancer screening through imaging and blood-based tests. Doctors also pay attention to often-overlooked aspects, such as physical functions, inflammatory responses, and hormone levels.

"For example, physical functions are closely related to our quality of life, our feelings, and energy levels," said Yan. Physical functions can be assessed through tests of muscle strength, balance, six-meter walking speed, and sit-to-stand tests, she added.

"In some cases, young people with poor lifestyle habits may experience premature bone density loss. While this issue may not affect them immediately, it can significantly impact their quality of life in old age," said Yan, who is also a general practitioner and cardiologist.

Zhu was motivated to visit the longevity clinic by some minor health issues he experienced. He had also observed the diminished quality of life of his parents, both in their mid-70s, due to various health reasons.

"I hope that when I reach my parents' age, I will be in a better state, still able to find fulfillment and joy in those later years," he said.

Yan said while they initially targeted individuals age 50 to 65 with the capacity to pay, they found that two-thirds of their patients are between 40 and 50. These individuals are willing to invest in their future health, and spend money to manage potential risks, she said.

"Typical health-seekers come to the longevity clinic as they are experiencing issues like poor sleep, weight gain, reduced energy, and memory lapses. They hope to determine if there are any underlying health problems and address them in advance," said Yan.

This reflects an increased health awareness in society, especially among middle-aged and younger people, who are more proactive about their health compared with the previous generation, according to doctors.

"Identifying potential health risks and having an accurate response plan now is much more cost-effective than treating severe health issues in the future. I see this as a valuable investment with significant benefits," said Zhu.