"We know that so many of the conditions and diseases that we associate with ageing can often be prevented or in fact their onset delayed if we just took preventative steps earlier in our lives"

Julie Bishop draws attention to the significant impact of lifestyle choices and early interventions on health outcomes as we age. She highlights that numerous conditions commonly linked to getting older, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and neurodegenerative illnesses, are not inevitable consequences of ageing. Rather, these health problems are often significantly affected by factors that individuals can control, including their diets, physical activity levels, avoidance of harmful habits like smoking, and proactive management of stress.

Bishop's statement challenges the generally passive view of ageing as something that simply happens to us, leading to an unavoidable decline in health. By emphasizing prevention, she suggests that healthier ageing is attainable for many, provided they are informed and empowered to make beneficial choices early on. One of the underlying messages here is the importance of education and public health initiatives that encourage healthy behaviours from a young age. Such programmes could help shift the focus from treating illness after it arises to preventing it before it starts, benefiting not only individuals but also reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

Another layer in Bishop's message relates to personal responsibility. While not all diseases can be prevented and genetics certainly play a role, she urges people to recognize their agency in maintaining their own health. The implication is clear: adopting healthier habits earlier in life pays dividends decades later, potentially delaying or even preventing conditions commonly viewed as unavoidable parts of ageing. This perspective also invites societies and governments to invest in long-term health promotion, with the understanding that a proactive approach can result in not just longer lives, but healthier and more fulfilling ones.

Ultimately, Bishop's words are a call to action, to rethink the narratives surrounding ageing and to invest in health throughout the life course, rather than accepting disease and decline as necessary outcomes of growing older.