A New Year always brings me back to the same realisation. Good health does not flourish through one dramatic commitment. It grows through the quiet courage to care for oneself, every single day.
My experience, across decades of clinical and administrative leadership, has reinforced a simple observation. Most health setbacks begin gradually. Early signals are often missed, not out of neglect, but out of the assumption that the body will cope. It copes until it cannot. Preventive care is, therefore, not a medical instruction. It is a philosophy of life. A philosophy that respects the body as our first and most enduring partner.
Apollo’s journey has given us a unique vantage point. Millions of health checks reveal patterns that are both concerning and instructive. Lifestyle-related risks appear far sooner than they once did. Stress shapes physiology in ways that are still being understood. Sleep deprivation alters metabolism. Sedentary habits influence everything—from emotional balance to cardiac function. These insights make prevention a personal duty, not an option.
Image AI
Apollo ProHealth was created to turn this duty into measurable impact, with a clear mission to keep people out of hospitals. Its strength comes from precision, personalised risk scores, longitudinal tracking and behavioural insights that give every individual a true understanding of their own health. The WHO reminds us that health is not merely the absence of disease; it is the balance of body, mind and behaviour. A person who sleeps well, thinks clearly, moves regularly and eats mindfully.
A New Year creates space to revisit this truth with sincerity. Extreme goals rarely endure. Gentle consistency does. Ten minutes of purposeful activity, a balanced plate, adequate hydration, timely screening and genuine rest can transform outcomes in ways that often surprise people.
National missions such as Fit India have served as a powerful reminder that movement is a fundamental anchor of wellbeing. Such initiatives strengthen collective awareness and elevate the country’s approach to health.
Further, families remain the most influential custodians of daily habits. A home that honours mindful eating, encourages movement, celebrates progress and sets healthy digital boundaries becomes a nurturing health ecosystem of its own. These environments shape children, support elders and create intergenerational wellbeing that carries forward quietly but powerfully.
Likewise, organisations also have the ability to transform health culture. A workforce supported by preventive screenings, mental health resources and thoughtful workplace practices displays greater resilience and creativity. Healthier teams build stronger institutions. This alignment between personal wellbeing and organisational strength remains one of the most defining shifts of our time.
India stands at a decisive point. The rise in non-communicable diseases must be met with foresight. A nation that aspires to global leadership needs citizens who enjoy long years of productive and meaningful life. Such longevity is built in homes, workplaces, communities and clinics. It is built through choices that respect the body and protect the mind.
Health is not a resolution for January. It is a lifelong relationship. A relationship that deepens through attention, respect and discipline. A relationship that repays us with energy, clarity and purpose.
So, as we step into 2026, I hope that each one of us chooses a healthier path with calm determination rather than pressure. May the New Year encourage each of us to place health at the heart of our lives and build a future shaped by resilience, fulfilment and grace.
Dr Preetha Reddy is Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.