Metabolic health and lifestyle medicine should be a cornerstone of future pandemic preparedness

Abstract

The recent impact of SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shown major differences in infrastructure and approach across healthcare systems worldwide. One thing we can already be certain of is that governments and policy makers worldwide will place a greater focus on pandemic preparedness in the future. However, as well as ensuring that robust pipelines for rapid test, highly effective treatment or vaccine, and personal protective equipment (PPE) production are in place, we must address underlying resilience and susceptibility of our populations to infectious disease. Although the true spread and case fatality rate of SARS-CoV-2 may not be known for several months or even years, what is becoming increasingly clear is the significant degree to which underlying conditions associated with suboptimal metabolic health appear to be associated with poor outcomes in those with COVID-19. Considering the nature of these underlying conditions, such as obesity and hypertension, lifestyle-based approaches are likely to be one of our best tools in order to address ongoing and future disease burden during pandemics.