Surveying 500 US consumers, the VC firm declared a “healthmaxxing economy” while surfacing six opportunities for builders.
Hub. Referring to the concept of a Personal Health OS as a “healthcare home,” a16z calls out the need for a single, central app merging medical and wellness data with an AI action layer.
Toxins. Thinking beyond clean food, consumers are buying water filters, nontoxic cookware, and air purifiers, while cutting plastic. Optimizers also test for household mold, choose organic cotton clothes/bedding, and limit EMFs, sparking opportunities in exposure health.
Peptides. The firm sees two distinct opps: biotech R&D and care delivery. But, the more widespread peptides become, the less of a competitive advantage standalone platforms have. About half of consumers have heard of non-GLP-1 peptides, and performance is the top motivation for those that use them.
Cholesterol. Highlighting heart health, it predicts new “miracle drugs” will enter the zeitgeist, citing PCSK9 inhibitors like Repatha and Lipfendra as early examples.
Wearables. 54% use wearables and 83% check them daily, but most say it hasn’t led to behavioral changes. The iterative opportunity is better translation and novel biomarkers, like hormones and strength.
BCIs. From surgical implants to noninvasive devices, the brain is being decoded and rewired, with neuroscience informing targeted e-stim for wide-ranging issues.
Takeaway: Health optimization isn’t going away, but it may need a rebrand to convert the average American.
