Rich People Live Longer—Now There's an App for That

"Rich people live longer." That provocative opening line from Hims & Hers' Super Bowl commercial cuts straight to the heart of America's healthcare anxiety. The ad that followed was a dizzying montage of wealth-obsessed wellness culture: a man bathing in red light like longevity fanatic Bryan Johnson, a bald billionaire channeling Jeff Bezos with his rocket and buff physique, surgeons pulling a woman's face taut in a nod to Kris Jenner's notorious facelift.

The message was clear: "They get the best of everything. So why don't you?"

The Amazon-ization of Healthcare

Hims & Hers built its reputation on hair loss and weight management treatments, but this ad positioned the company as something far more ambitious—a gateway to the kind of concierge healthcare that only the wealthy typically access. Think on-demand doctors, cutting-edge personalized therapies, and treatments that bypass the traditional healthcare maze entirely.

The reality is that telehealth platforms have essentially become the Amazon of prescription drugs. They allow patients to pay out of pocket for quick consultations and fast prescription access, including controlled substances like Adderall and testosterone. These companies sidestep expensive brand-name drugs by partnering with compounding pharmacies to offer cheaper, nearly identical alternatives.

But there's a gap between the promise and practice. While these platforms claim that licensed providers conduct thorough medical assessments before prescribing, the experience often feels more like a transaction between patient and company than a genuine medical consultation. Over the past two years, two different telehealth practices have been sanctioned for inappropriately prescribing stimulants.

The Billionaire Wellness Copycat Economy

Americans can't seem to stop imitating their wealthiest citizens' health habits. Testosterone therapy, peptides, NAD+ IV drips, red-light masks—if a celebrity or tech mogul endorses it, demand follows. Figures like Gwyneth Paltrow, Joe Rogan, and even Health Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have championed these treatments, creating a trickle-down effect in wellness culture.

Hims & Hers has been quick to capitalize. Last year, the company launched its low-testosterone treatment program and acquired a peptide-manufacturing facility. The plan? Create their own "personalized" drugs in-house.

But "personalized" in telehealth-speak usually means something far more mundane than what the ultra-wealthy receive. It typically refers to adjusting dosages, adding ingredients, or changing delivery methods—basic compounding that any pharmacy can do. The crucial difference? These compounded versions aren't reviewed by the FDA.

Regulatory Red Flags

That regulatory gap is becoming a serious concern. On Friday, the FDA asked the Justice Department to investigate Hims & Hers for selling compounded GLP-1 pills, citing consumer safety concerns. It's part of a broader DOJ initiative to restrict the marketing of compounded GLP-1s.

The medical community is increasingly worried that telehealth platforms make it too easy for patients to access drugs they don't need or that could be harmful. The Obesity Society warns against compounded GLP-1s because they may not contain appropriate active ingredients. Men's health experts have similar concerns about unnecessary testosterone replacement therapy and its cardiovascular and reproductive risks.

When asked about the DOJ investigation, Hims & Hers announced it would stop selling compounded GLP-1 pills, stating they "remain committed to the millions of Americans who depend on us for access to safe, affordable, and personalized care."

The Democratization Paradox

The Hims & Hers ad is shrewdly crafted. It validates Americans' healthcare frustrations while positioning itself as a justice-delivering disruptor. (The ad is narrated by rapper Common, known for socially conscious music, adding gravitas to the message.) Recent Pew Research data shows that 71% of Americans worry about healthcare costs—a genuine anxiety the company is tapping into.

Yet Americans simultaneously can't stop chasing billionaire wellness trends, even when the benefits are questionable at best. This year's slate of Super Bowl health ads illustrates just how central the pursuit of wellness has become to American life and economy.

Hims & Hers is right that America's health and longevity gaps largely boil down to wealth. The company has accurately diagnosed the problem: a two-tiered system where the wealthy get proactive, personalized care while everyone else gets reactive, one-size-fits-all treatment.

But can ordering healthcare like Amazon packages really solve this inequality? The company's approach seems to offer the veneer of elite care—the convenience, the personalization, the direct access—without necessarily delivering the substance.