Your genes are only part of the story. The exposome—the sum of all the environmental, socioeconomic and cultural factors you’re exposed to—shapes your health in powerful, often invisible ways. From the air you breathe and the neighborhood you live in, to the educational and economic opportunities available to you, these exposures influence your biology and well-being over a lifetime. Discover how the world around you leaves a lasting imprint on your health and longevity.

When a family health crisis revealed how broken the system really was, Arihant Jain left Microsoft to bring artificial intelligence to the frontlines of care. Just four years later, the 26-year-old founder of Nao Innovation Lab is revolutionizing the patient experience with tools that synthesize medical records, personalize care, and ease the burden on overstretched providers. From AI-powered longevity plans to real-time translation for patients, Jain’s work offers a glimpse of a future where better care is just the beginning.

Could a common vaccine help prevent dementia? A striking new study from Stanford Medicine finds that older adults in Wales who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years. Thanks to a rare “natural experiment” in public health policy, researchers were able to isolate the vaccine’s effect—offering the strongest evidence yet that viral infections may play a role in dementia risk. With no proven prevention or cure for dementia, this discovery could be a powerful step forward.

Coming next month in SCL Magazine: our special Money Issue, where we dive into what it really takes to finance a 100-year life. It all starts with financial literacy. Think you’re savvy? Test yourself with the “Big Three” questions developed by Stanford’s Annamaria Lusardi, a global leader in financial decision-making.

Congratulations to our winners and finalists! This year’s theme, Reimagining Education and Learning for Long Lives, drew over 230 entries from 31 countries. Eight finalist teams presented their ideas at Stanford, addressing everything from digital literacy to career exploration. Their bold, creative solutions reflect the vision needed to build a better future for all generations.