“Health by Design” Docuseries Uncovers Cultural, Environmental and Community-driven Secrets to Vitality and Longevity

Want to change your life? Start by designing the right environment. 

OPTAVIA’s co-founder and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen (aka Dr. A) has long prompted people to reconsider how they approach health by asking themselves one question: What if the first step to living a longer, healthier life is to design your world differently?

Despite the millions of lives he’s transformed through his work both as a former critical care physician and currently as an independent coach, the U.S. is getting sicker as a society. The stats are staggering* — rising obesity, metabolic dysfunction and more. 

Yet there are other regions and cultures of the world where people live longer, stronger and more connected lives. It’s not because they rely on discipline, but because their environments are designed for well-being. 

Movement is woven into the rhythm of daily life. 

Sleep is prioritized. 

Community is built-in, not sought out. 

Fueling your body with healthy food is a given. 

So We Set Out To See It in Action Firsthand. 

This inspired Dr. A and Nick Johnson, President of Medifast (the company behind OPTAVIA), to travel across the globe, creating a “Health by Design” docuseries that uncovers the cultural, environmental and community-driven secrets to longer lifespan and healthier living.

Across every stop in their journey, one truth emerges: Health is shaped by design — and intentionality. 

In partnership with OPTAVIA, Dr. A released episodes one and two of this eye-opening Health by Design docuseries. Here’s a breakdown:

Health by Design: Copenhagen

In Copenhagen, movement is woven into the rhythm of daily life. In this episode, we: 

• Toured the city to see firsthand how Copenhagen’s infrastructure encourages small, daily actions, like biking, that are simply part of everyday life. 

• Visited a local market with Danish food expert Simon Presley to learn how simple whole foods fuel a healthier lifestyle. 

• Heard from sleep counselor Laura Kanadel about the overlooked power of quality rest.

  
  
  
  

  Health by Design: Spain

  In Spain, connection, food traditions and balance create energy, joy and community that extend healthspan. In this episode, Dr. A and Nick: 

  
  

• Explore why Galicia stands apart in a world struggling with metabolic dysfunction, and what its thriving centenarian population teaches us about metabolic health and the foundation of a longer healthier lifespan. 

• Discuss the difference between lifespan and healthspan — and the role community plays in quality of life. 

• Sat down with a centenarian, 102-year-old Marina Prieto, to get her personal perspective on living long and happy.  

• Hear from cultural expert and guide Christina López on how the Spanish culture, which embraces people and fosters connection, uniquely drives healthspan. 

• Met with longevity and cognitive aging expert David Facal Mayo to learn how stress affects the brain and quality of life plus the importance of self-control, self-esteem and routine. 

This is More Than a Documentary Series. 

Bring these insights to your community. Share clips and start conversations. Model the habits. This is the beginning of a global shift in how we think about health in the U.S., and how we empower others to build it. 

*O'Hearn M et al. Trends and Disparities in Cardiometabolic Health Among U.S. Adults, 1999-2018. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;80(2):138-151. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.04.046