Function Health CEO Jonathan Swerdlin Is Endeavoring to Transform How We Take Care of Our Wellbeing

When Jonathan Swerdlin asserts that he invests his blood, sweat, and tears into his work, he conveys this sentiment more literally than many corporate leaders.

Courtesy Function Health

Swerdlin is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Function Health, a rapidly expanding personalized health testing platform that was established in 2023.

I have also provided the company with numerous samples of my blood; upon discovering Function last year, I realized I had not visited a physician in nearly ten years, a regrettable admission for a health journalist. Frustrated with the perceived inadequacies of the health-care system, I saw the necessity of a check-up and enrolled in Function, which charges $499 annually and encompasses two blood testing sessions. Initially, you have an assessment comprising 160 laboratory tests, followed by a follow-up three to six months later that includes over 60 retests to evaluate changes in your results. No therapy program is offered based on the results; nevertheless, clients receive tailored written insights from Function's team of doctors.

“Prior to this, our understanding of our bodies was inferior to our knowledge of our automobiles.” Swerdlin states that Function has altered that. “In 2025, no one will be able to claim ignorance regarding the internal workings of their body.” By asserting power today, you are securing control over the future. Temporal data analysis is crucial to guarantee that no significant factors affecting your life are overlooked.

Function, supported by prominent investors like as Matt Damon, Zac Efron, Pedro Pascal, and Jay Shetty, currently has hundreds of thousands of paying subscribers. It is at the front of an emerging trend among companies seeking to deliver personalized insights to individuals disenchanted with the conventional healthcare system. The concept is to identify potential health issues early, rather than awaiting a physician's diagnosis of an acute condition, so preventing the escalation into a full-blown medical catastrophe.

In May, TIME interviewed Swerdlin regarding Function, recognized as one of the TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2025, its expansion, and the pressing need for innovation within the health care sector.

What drove you to establish Function Health, and what sustains your daily drive to manage this company?

Experiencing health concerns throughout my youth, I quickly became aware of the limitations of healthcare services. Subsequently, my father triumphed against prostate cancer, allowing me to observe the efficacy of medicine. I found myself torn between recognizing the deficiencies in health care and its management, while still holding profound reverence for the efficacy of medicine.

This ignited my interest in managing my health, leading me to invest years and tens of thousands of dollars on assembling an analog version of what Function currently provides. I saw that it was not a method to exploit the system; rather, it represented the future of how individuals oversee their lifelong health. It bestowed upon me considerable agency and power, leading me to want that everyone could experience this. I desire for my entire family and friends to have access to this, since I am concerned for their well-being and hope for them to reap its benefits. Individuals remain mostly unaware of the internal processes occurring within their bodies; yet, the aim should be to require less healthcare while enhancing the quality of life.

What do you perceive as the primary obstacles and deficiencies currently present in the conventional health care system?

Health care is inadequate. The healthcare system fails to satisfy our expectations. Health care focuses on addressing issues rather than facilitating the management of your long-term health. We lack a platform or framework to assist individuals in managing their lifelong health beyond acute concerns. We require a method to monitor our heart, liver, kidneys, thyroid, and hormones, ensuring we are informed about their status and identifying non-pharmaceutical measures to enhance our health.

Regarding the maintenance of scientific knowledge: Do you possess a preferred method for accomplishing that?

I receive substantial assistance. I own a team that assists me in identifying and curating significant developments in science and technology. I also conduct my own research in publications and strive to stay abreast with AI, which is advancing rapidly. It is nearly a full-time occupation.

You have already noted the significance of individuals finally prioritizing health as a domain for revolutionary change. Has healthcare remained relatively stagnant up to this point?

Health care has predominantly experienced gradual modifications inside institutional frameworks, but this generation is witnessing rapid transformation. The primary issue we face is that 40% of premature fatalities are avoidable. The anguish associated with that is inquantifiable. Individuals are experiencing distress. This is the most significant issue we can tackle. It is a concrete issue, amenable to resolution, significantly influential, and situated inside a vast market.

There is $7 trillion allocated to health and wellness expenditures. The service has traditionally been bespoke and artisanal, but it is transitioning to an engineered technology product model, which significantly reduces the cost of health and enhances accessibility.

What is the most significant challenge of operating a firm such as Function Health?

The primary problem is the urgency to ensure global access to this, necessitating the growth of heretofore unscaled initiatives.

Function has recently purchased Ezra and launched a $499 full-body MRI scan. What is the source of your enthusiasm over this matter, and what benefits will it provide onto the company?

Acquiring a comprehensive 360-degree perspective of one's body has proven to be challenging and prohibitively costly. Traditionally, it requires much time and is difficult to locate. This acquisition introduces an FDA-cleared scan that reduces the duration from 60 minutes to 22 minutes and the cost from $1,500 to $499, facilitated by AI. By rendering it affordable, accessible, and expedient, we facilitate its adoption as an annual practice for the general populace, rather than restricting it to a privileged minority.

Individuals who have annual laboratory tests and imaging procedures now possess a comprehensive 360-degree baseline of their internal physiological state, enabling them to thoroughly comprehend the changes occurring over time. It is essential to identify changes, since they serve as the most reliable indicator of potential issues.

Could you elaborate on your approach to prioritizing accessibility, particularly in the context of healthcare being unattainable for numerous individuals?

I am deeply passionate about this. The cost is $1.37 daily. Through our collaboration with Quest Diagnostics, we are accessible at more than 2,200 locations nationwide. It is also really convenient. The duration required for a blood draw and urine collection is 3 to 5 minutes. It just a minimal investment of effort and $1.37 daily to maintain optimal health. Individuals are utilizing Function in every state, including Mississippi and Alabama, regions historically characterized by low adoption rates and recognized for their medical deserts. We are establishing health in areas that were formerly medical deserts.

It appears that executing Function resonates with you as a vocation rather than an employment. Is that correct?

Our life expectancy has stagnated. Our nation is not improving in health. We can address such problems; but, we are not truly identifying the underlying cause. I awaken each morning with a distinct purpose: to alleviate suffering and prevent avoidable mortality, which motivates my actions. That is what motivates me to work. Managing any enterprise is challenging. I cannot conceive of not wholly, unequivocally believing in your endeavors and being deeply invested in them with every aspect of your existence. If you aspire to be an entrepreneur and create something impactful, ensure it addresses a problem you are passionate about for the entirety of your life. This constitutes the culmination of my life's endeavors.