Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. Obesity, type-2 diabetes and metabolic ill-health disorders such as insulin resistance are significant drivers of NCDs resulting in increasing mortality and morbidity around the world.

The mitochondrial and cellular mechanisms of insulin resistance affect all cells in the body – not just fat, liver and pancreatic cells. Many intervention programs are achieving remarkable success - improving many metabolic markers and even putting type-2 diabetes into remission.

In addition, an exciting new area of research and clinical implementation for improving metabolic health is the area of metabolic psychiatry. Case studies, mechanisms, and evidence of the interplay between metabolic health and psychiatry is another important way that improving metabolic health can enhance health and wellbeing globally.

Swiss Re believes by improving metabolic health we can help prevent many chronic diseases. The Fixing Metabolic Health conference will bring together experts to share their research on the mechanisms and root causes of insulin resistance and metabolic ill-health, as well as the connection to historical and current nutritional policy. We will build on the publications and core research of Food for Thought 2023: Rising to the challenge of obesity and diabetes. Understanding practically how interventions achieve success, looking at the evidence of their outcomes, and being aware of the challenges they face in changing lifestyle behaviours, especially nutrition, are important for health systems, providers and payers considering implementing such programmes.

Finally, some of the trailblazing psychiatrists and researchers focusing on metabolic health and its impact on the brain will share insights, including using metabolic health as part of their clinical interventions.