2023-08-20 13:00:14
Oscar Franco: From Aspiring Heart Surgeon to Preventive Medicine Professor
Oscar Franco, a former young doctor in Bogotá, Colombia, had dreams of becoming the best heart surgeon in the world. However, his perspective changed after a scholarship opportunity for a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Franco realized that cutting-edge surgery was not the only solution to tackling cardiovascular diseases; prevention was equally important.
In his epidemiology studies, Franco discovered the importance of understanding the causes of diseases in populations rather than focusing solely on individual patients. He became passionate about contributing to a world where fewer heart surgeons would be needed. In 2012, Franco became a professor of preventive medicine in Rotterdam before being appointed as a professor of public health care at the Julius Center of the UMC Utrecht in 2020.
Franco’s approach to healthcare emphasizes the need to address the underlying factors that make individuals become patients. He believes that medicine should focus on prevention and not just cure. Franco is known for creating the concept of the “Polymeal,” a diet consisting of fish, dark chocolate, fruit, vegetables, garlic, nuts, and red wine, which he claims can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 76%.
Initially, the Polymeal was seen as a joke by many, but it gained international recognition and sparked discussions about the importance of food choices in maintaining good health. Franco, however, admits that he preached about the Polymeal without fully living it himself.
After publishing his Polymeal paper, Franco received a job offer from Unilever, where he conducted research on healthy aging. He views aging as an inherent aspect of life and believes that individuals can influence their own aging process through their daily decisions and responses to life’s challenges.
Franco is dedicated to measuring healthy aging, but acknowledges the difficulties in assessing it accurately on a population level. He emphasizes the importance of factors such as environment, social connections, and financial well-being in determining overall health. Franco believes that prevention should be prioritized in healthcare, but acknowledges the challenges in securing funding for preventive measures compared to drug research.
At the Julius Center, Franco and his team conduct comprehensive research on various health aspects, from Utrecht neighborhoods to Africa. Their goal is to provide consultations on all health aspects to at least half of the 40,000 patients who visit UMC Utrecht each year. They use the GROW model, which stands for Goal, Reality, Opportunity, and Wheel, to assist patients in setting health goals and determining the best courses of action.
Franco emphasizes that access to healthcare, information, and education are often overlooked human rights that need to be addressed to ensure a healthier society for all.
Looking to the future, Franco predicts an era of degenerative diseases as individuals live longer in good health. He believes that finding treatments for these diseases will be the next challenge, along with addressing antibiotic resistance and planetary health issues, such as climate change.
As for the field of epidemiology, Franco believes that advancements in understanding the interaction between genes and the environment will allow for more personalized and informed choices regarding health. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, he believes that personalized healthcare will be accessible to all.
Franco’s journey from aspiring heart surgeon to preventive medicine professor showcases the importance of looking beyond surgeries and curing diseases to focus on prevention and overall well-being. His passion for improving public health and his innovative ideas continue to make a significant impact in the medical field.]
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