The concept of Medicine 3.0 revolves around rethinking the entire healthcare system so that it shifts from focusing on “treating illness” to emphasizing “health care” in all its aspects throughout a person’s lifetime, rather than waiting for problems to arise and then treating them at high costs, costs that may extend lifespan without necessarily improving actual health levels or what is sometimes referred to as “healthspan.” This vision differs significantly from what the world experienced during Medicine 1.0 and Medicine 2.0: Medicine 1.0 refers to the traditional or classical approach that relies on diagnosing and treating diseases using limited resources and non-digital clinical analyses, while Medicine 2.0 witnessed the digitization of paper records and the introduction of technology and the internet into healthcare, including remote monitoring applications. In contrast, Medicine 3.0 takes a major step toward a more comprehensive, data-driven future by advancing the principles of holistic care, early diagnosis, and sustainable prevention, drawing on significant breakthroughs in biotechnology (Biotech), artificial intelligence, smartphone and wearable-device applications, as well as developments in genetics, the microbiome, and the complex molecular ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that affect our health. By following this vision, Medicine 3.0 aims to achieve a true balance between extending lifespan and enhancing its quality, helping individuals maintain well-being over the long term, rather than merely treating symptoms after health problems have escalated.

At its core, Medicine 3.0 is built on the idea that healthcare must be flexible and personalized above all else, with treatment, dietary, and preventive plans designed to match the immense diversity of genetics, environmental conditions, lifestyle, age, diet, and mental health. Here, advanced digital technologies intersect: smartphones, health apps, and wearable devices like smartwatches, heart-rate monitoring bands, and fitness trackers give individuals the ability to continuously monitor their well-being and record their daily readings, which are then analyzed using AI and machine-learning algorithms. As a result, clinicians and researchers can gain deeper insight into each patient’s unique circumstances, delivering advice based on continually updated real-world data, rather than general observations or broad statistical studies that may not apply equally to everyone. In this regard, biotechnology companies play a particularly prominent role.

This is where genetic-testing and home-testing firms come into play, with 23andMe serving as one of the most notable examples. Since its founding in 2006 in California, the company has conducted over 13 million genetic tests, producing a vast database of information about customers’ genetic makeup. From this data, it provides simplified reports on the risks of developing certain diseases or genetic predispositions for specific health traits, as well as general lifestyle recommendations, such as dietary guidance and physical exercise. This approach showcases the practical aspect of Medicine 3.0 by making patients more aware and engaged in managing their own health, urging them to follow “small and repeated” tips over longer periods—daily dietary steps or specific exercises, for instance, thereby improving their chances of avoiding chronic health problems and reinforcing sustainable positive habits.

Of course, the future vision of Medicine 3.0 is not limited to genetics; it also covers environmental and social influences, along with psychological factors like stress management and improved sleep quality. In this context, researchers are now highlighting specific techniques around deep breathing, exposure to cold or heat, and fine-tuning nutrition with supplements tailored to genetic-test results that indicate potential deficiencies in certain micronutrients.

From an economic standpoint, there are also clear benefits. Technologies that can continuously track vital signs and monitor physical activity pave the way for more affordable and efficient healthcare systems, improving hospital resource management and reducing financial burdens associated with prolonged treatments of chronic illnesses. As companies start developing apps that remind users of medical appointments and the correct dosages of their medications, and offer personalized dietary programs that take into account one’s gut microbiome and individual needs for vitamins and amino acids, we gradually move away from the “one-size-fits-all” model to a “high-precision personalized treatment” approach that sees each person as a unique case requiring a carefully designed preventive and therapeutic plan.