Prestigious hospitals across the United States are introducing a new medical specialty focused on longevity. These clinics operate on a cash-pay model, requiring patients to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for services that monitor health indicators and provide guidance on extending life.
The trend involves comprehensive assessments designed to help individuals live longer and healthier lives. STAT commercial determinants of health reporter Sarah Todd recently visited one such facility at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City to experience the process firsthand. During her visit, Todd underwent a series of physical, written, and blood tests.
The evaluation included specific physical performance metrics. Todd performed frog jumps and ran down a hallway as part of the battery of tests. She also wore a VO2 Max mask during the procedure, which she described as feeling like being an elephant. These clinics represent a growing segment of the healthcare market where private institutions offer extended health monitoring beyond standard care.