The nomination of a new HHS leader has once again sparked conversations about the future of the U.S. healthcare system. And while there’s plenty of debate around big-picture issues—reducing waste, aligning incentives, and modernizing outdated processes, recent discussions have brought to the forefront a crucial factor in healthcare that often gets overlooked: prevention.

A lot has changed since the early days of healthcare. We live in a world that’s completely different from that of our ancestors. In the past, infectious diseases were the biggest threat to a long life. Today, thanks to medical advancements, safer working conditions, and a greater focus on wellness, we’re living much longer. But while our lifespan has increased, our healthspan (the number of years we live in good health) hasn’t kept pace.

Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and dementia have become enormous burdens, diminishing quality of life and driving up healthcare costs. Nearly 47% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. At the same time, 57% of adults are either living with Type 2 diabetes or at risk due to prediabetes, highlighting the growing prevalence of metabolic disorders. Obesity is another pressing concern, with 71% of adults classified as overweight and 42% meeting the criteria for obesity, increasing the likelihood of developing multiple chronic conditions. Meanwhile, cognitive decline remains a significant challenge, as one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, placing emotional and financial strain on families and the healthcare system.

If you’re like me, you feel a sense of urgency about this and want to know what we can do now, in lieu of large-scale healthcare system changes. That’s where prevention comes into play. It is a tangible solution with a long runway—that, and the need for personal health engagement.

It’s become clear that no matter how much we invest in new clinical innovations, their success ultimately depends on whether people are actively engaged in their health. Without that, even the best-designed systems won’t deliver lasting impact. So, while shifting healthcare from a reactive system (treating illness) to a proactive one (keeping people healthy longer) is one of our industry’s most important challenges, there’s an equally important challenge: How do we help people engage in their own health?

We often talk about social determinants of health (income, education, environment) but not nearly enough about personal health engagement, or what drives people to take control of their well-being. Research consistently shows that having a strong “why” is one of the most powerful motivators for making lasting health changes.

I’ve seen this firsthand over the years in leading healthcare organizations. I remember a former colleague who, after losing her son, turned her grief into motivation to improve her own health because she knew that’s what he would have wanted. I also remember visiting a customer who shared her health struggles and how she started prioritizing her health—not for herself, but so she could dance at her daughter’s wedding.

Sometimes, the initial motivation isn’t even about health at all. A few years ago, while participating in the Senior Games, I met so many athletes who started their fitness journeys for reasons unrelated to exercise—whether it was recovering from loss, proving something to themselves, reconnecting with a hobby they were passionate about, or seeking social connection to combat loneliness. Over time, their “why” turned into a deeper, long-term commitment to their health.

So, how can we do better at encouraging health engagement? While personal motivation is critical, the healthcare industry also has a responsibility to make engagement easier. For example, healthcare providers can go beyond treating symptoms and become coaches and partners, helping patients discover their personal motivation and create realistic health plans. Studies show that patients who feel heard and involved in decisions are significantly more likely to follow through on treatment plans. For health insurers, instead of stepping in after people get sick, they can reward prevention by offering meaningful incentives for wellness programs, screenings, and lifestyle improvements. Employers also play an important role in shaping workplace wellness programs that align with what’s most important to their employees, ensuring these programs are flexible and provide some level of personalization to make engagement more attractive and accessible.

The Medicare Advantage Quality program rewards health plans for proactively engaging individuals in their health. One memorable example from my time at Humana comes to mind. Several years ago, I got a call from a member who told me, “Humana saved my life.” He went on to share how he’d received a colorectal cancer screening kit from Humana, which helped detect his colon cancer at an early stage. By the time he reached out to me, he was cancer-free.

He explained that after taking the test, a Humana nurse followed up, emphasizing the importance of screening given his age. That combination—the convenience of receiving the kit and the nurse’s encouragement—made all the difference in his health outcome.

As leaders in healthcare, we have a responsibility to continue advancing payment model innovations and technology to shift the system toward prevention. Society needs our leadership, and so do the individuals we serve. Like the grandparent who wants to stay active to keep up with their grandkids. Or the patient who needs help understanding their condition to make informed decisions. Or the person striving for a healthier lifestyle because their motivation goes beyond numbers on a chart.

Helping people make small, consistent steps over time can lead to extraordinary results—extending healthspans while also improving the affordability of care.

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Prevention and health engagement are some of the most powerful tools we have to improve our health and extend the quality of our lives. What strategies have you found most effective in increasing health engagement, either from your own personal health experience or observations in your work?