The longevity industry is transitioning from a fringe movement to a multi-trillion-dollar mainstream sector, with prestigious hospitals like Northwestern, Weill Cornell, and Mayo Clinic launching high-cost, cash-pay clinics. These programs offer a battery of tests, including whole-body MRIs and biological age assessments, which often lack rigorous medical evidence or standardized clinical guidelines. While these services provide a luxurious, high-touch patient experience that addresses the limitations of traditional, time-constrained healthcare, they also highlight growing disparities in medical access. Reporter Sarah Todd, who underwent these assessments for her "Selling Longevity" series, notes that while the personalized attention can motivate healthier lifestyle habits, the clinical necessity of many expensive screenings remains questionable. Ultimately, these clinics cater primarily to affluent individuals, further widening the gap between income levels and life expectancy outcomes.
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