Open Letter: Healthspan vs. Lifespan – Why Mode Healthcare Focuses on Longevity.
Article Written by our CEO Jordy - The bloke in the photo below.
Maddison (Mode National Practice Manager) & Jordy (Mode CEO and Co-Founder.) Also Husband and Wifey!
When I think back to my childhood, I’m often reminded of evenings spent at my Nonno and Nonna’s house. My sister and I would help harvest vegetables from their garden, knowing they would be on the dinner table that night. Those moments taught me so much about the connection between what we put into our bodies, how we care for ourselves, and the impact it has on our overall wellbeing. It was simple, honest, and rooted in a belief that health starts with the choices we make every day.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve carried those lessons into my work with Mode Healthcare. But our vision isn’t just about living longer – it’s about living well.
There’s a growing conversation around “lifespan” versus “healthspan,” a concept popularised by Dr Peter Attia, and it’s one I think is crucial to shaping the future of healthcare in Australia.
The Difference Between Lifespan and Healthspan
Lifespan is simply the number of years we live. Healthspan, as Dr Peter Attia describes it, refers to the number of years we live in good health, free from chronic illness, pain, and limitations. Traditional medicine does a remarkable job of extending lifespan, but often at the expense of quality of life. At Mode, we aim to shift that focus to healthspan by combining modern medicine, preventative care, and personalised approaches that help people thrive, not just survive.
Why This Matters to Me
In my mid-twenties, I found myself struggling with stress and PTSD. As a surfer who had been involved in a fatal shark attack in the South West of Australia, I experienced firsthand how trauma manifests physically and mentally. I’d go to traditional clinics, and while I respected the care I received, it often felt like a Band-Aid solution. I wanted more than symptom management – I wanted to feel whole again.
My journey of curiosity led me to experiment with treatments and therapies that were once considered unconventional. Alongside Dr Matty Moore, I began to see the transformative power of modern approaches to health. Together, we founded Mode Healthcare to offer Australians a new pathway, one that blends the best of traditional medicine with innovative, proactive care.
Building a Better System
One of the reasons I have such respect for traditional GPs is that their job isn’t easy. They’re overburdened, often with limited time to address anything beyond immediate symptoms. This isn’t a fault of the doctors; it’s a sign that the system itself is under strain. Mode Healthcare isn’t here to replace traditional care but to work alongside it, easing the load by focusing on proactive and preventative medicine.
This is why its critical for patients (that’s me and you) to pick the right clinic for your needs….
Imagine a future where:
Clinics like Mode focus on healthspan, helping patients optimise their long-term wellbeing.
Traditional clinics handle reactive care, such as cold and flu, vaccinations, and acute events.
Improved healthspan reduces the demand for hospital admissions and chronic disease management, ultimately benefiting the entire healthcare ecosystem.
This isn’t just an idea – it’s something we’re already building at Mode. Our work isn’t about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about taking the time to understand our patients as individuals and offering care that’s as unique as they are.
The Subscription Model of Health
Another belief I hold is that the future of healthcare will look more like the way we manage cars. Just as we schedule regular servicing and alignments for our vehicles, clinics like Mode will provide ongoing checkups and preventative care for patients, regardless of whether they’re feeling well or unwell. This subscription model ensures consistent engagement, allowing us to catch potential issues early and help patients stay in peak condition.
A Personal Note
At its core, Mode Healthcare is about people. It’s about the communities we build, the connections we foster, and the lives we help improve. My Italian upbringing taught me the importance of looking out for one another, and that’s the heart of what we do. We’re not just a clinic; we’re a partner in your journey to better health.
Thank you for trusting us to be part of your story. Together, we can redefine what healthcare means and create a system that prioritises not just how long we live, but how well we live.
Yours in health,
Jordan Gianfrancesco
CEO, Mode Healthcare
