Good medical care is about more than mending broken bones – it also fixes nations. These are the countries and people building healthier states.

Whoever ends up sat in the Oval Office come January next year will have a huge job on his hands but also a massive opportunity. Here is Monocle’s advice.

The Behavioural Insights Team – otherwise known as the Nudge Unit – is improving public services in the UK via clever tweaks of policy and subtle changes to the delivery of information. Monocle investigates the art of gentle persuasion.

The Avengers be damned. The combined diplomatic super powers of 10 global leaders known as The Elders, formed by Nelson Mandela and led by chairman Desmond Tutu, are taking on the world’s most complex problems.

‘Genki’ drinks – nutrition and energy beverages – have flooded the Japanese market yet manufacturers are now targeting female consumers and soaking up foreign customers. Is saturation imminent?

As candidates ramp up the spending on their US presidential election campaigns, we look at some of the businesses that do very nicely when the party purse-strings are open.

Real-life medical shows aren’t just for light entertainment. In Spain people turn on the TV for health advice in times of austerity and in Egypt women tune in to learn about sex. Monocle meets the TV doctors with all the answers.

The practices of the health and pharmaceutical industries have no shortage of critics but there's an equally tricky battle to change consumers' perceptions once a product get the green light. Monocle meets some of the creatives on the feel-good frontline.

‘The Lancet’ has been in existence for 189 years and is considered an institution in the publishing industry. Monocle meets the staff of the British medical weekly that is always authoritative and occasionally controversial.

Getting old is inevitable but providing for people when they do is too often skirted. Monocle has tracked down those making a difference and showing up the authorities in the process.

The origami roof of the new Center for Cancer and Health suggests that this is no ordinary hospital. Nord Architects Copenhagen has achieved a design leap by creating a leafy courtyard and comfortable interiors.

Commuters take to the water in Stockholm, the Italian prime minister tackles corruption and Slovenians get ready to go to the polls.

The ins and outs of Mercosur, the speeding up of California's trains, and the other big ballot in America.

We look at motorcade of Indonesia president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and report on an ancient Punjabi sport that's gone global.

This month’s Style Leader is Egypt’s Mohamed Morsi, and our Election Watch column goes to Sierra Leone.

We land in Tuvalu for our Flight Path series, report on dwindling natural resources in Papua New Guinea, and find out why Aussie rules football is going to China.

We meet Georgia’s ambassador to Germany and take a dip at the UN swimming club in Geneva.

When representatives at the UN aren’t engaged at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, they’re relaxing at their very own swimming club. Monocle grabbed a towel and checked out this oasis of calm conversation.

This month’s military news round-up, looking at conscription in Austria, budget cuts in the US and smaller-scale deployments in Guatemala.

A firm that makes exoskeletons for people with paralysis, a Filipino fast-food chain and other news of enterprising endeavours.

The latest books, films and music from around the world, plus our culture editor's monthly musings.

Health-related magazines in Japan, Assouline's new concept store and a Q&A with The Art Journal's editor.

The Wellcome Collection in London, the latest Bonhams art sale and other art-world happenings.

The For Stockists design and craft fair in Tokyo, a rehab centre in the Netherlands and a newly revamped medical faculty in Peru.

Our monthly round-up of retailers, new collections, brands and designers.

Monocle’s foreign editor meets the man in charge of transforming Malaysia’s economy. Encouraging competitiveness, creating jobs, helping the poor and enabling democracy are his three main challenges.

Kicking off our new series on small-business neighbourhoods primed for investment is Northbridge, where a seedy reputation is changing thanks to government financing and an influx of innovative firms.

Despite over 30 years in Australia’s public health sector, Greg Rochford experienced some turbulence when he became CEO of the country’s iconic Royal Flying Doctor Service. One year on, he’s gaining altitude.

Brazil’s beachside resort Santos used to be the retreat that São Paulo residents escaped to. Its flamboyant apartment complex from mid-century master Artacho Jurado, is now a haven for elderly architectural fans.

Stay fighting fit with this month's pick of new-generation exercise gear. For post-workout we have toiletries and refreshing craft beer.

For a country that’s in need of more than a nip and tuck of its own, Spain is home to a clinic specialising in encouraging a perfectly balanced lifestyle. Monocle checks in.

Be it yoga in Brazil or hot springs in Japan, these destinations won’t recharge your batteries – they’ll replace them with hybrid engines.

Faribault Woolen Mill Co seemed dead and buried when it was forced to close in 2009. Its renaissance under the guidance of two local businessmen has proven blanket-like: comforting and all-encompassing.

For those who want to breathe in the Tuscan air but avoid sharing it with too many tourists, Lucca’s old town could be just the ticket.

Joël Robuchon’s 17 restaurants hold 26 Michelin stars. He chooses his venue Yoshi for his ‘last meal’ of green tea, salmon carpaccio, sushi and kudamono fruit salad. He finds inspiration in Japanese cuisine and believes the most important component for a restaurant is ambience.

In Japan, if you’re not doing ‘rajio taiso’ you’re either dead or you’ve slept in. Millions of Japanese rise early every morning to get together and do radio exercises – the rest do them at work.

Staying in good health is about looking after what you have as well as thinking ahead. Speaking of which, join us soon at the new Monocle Café for an autumn pick-me-up.

Welcome to our dream town designed for the mature years. Part of the housing is government-subsidised but most has been developed by passionate fundraising and former residents. The cost of living here is moderate; businesses are run by the more youthful residents and profits are reinvested back into the community so everyone benefits. Our first development is in Hawaii but we’re eyeing plots on Italy’s Tuscan coast, Kamakura in Japan and the Great Barrier Island in New Zealand too.