RWJF Challenge: Health Care Emergency Tech

Catalyst @ Health 2.0, in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is seeking health technology solutions that can support the needs of the health care system (e.g. providers, government, public health and community organizations, and more) by addressing several obstacles during an emergency such as:

●     Resource Management: Shortages of equipment, staff, and cash flow

●     Health Data Exchange: Limited information and access available on patients’ health histories

●     Training and Communication: Limited training and cumbersome communication between responders and clinicians

●     Capacity: Limited beds, equipment, and resources and a need to maximize patient flow/throughput

Innovators must submit their tech-enabled solution by June 12th, 2020 at 11:59 PM ET.

Can you create a digital tool that supports the health care system during a large-scale health crisis? Apply today!

J.P. Morgan Highlights & More News

Digital Health Experts Needed for Transnational Forum

The IDIH Project (International Digital Health Cooperation for Preventive, Integrated, Independent and Inclusive Living) is setting up an expert-driven “Digital Health Transformation Forum” with five strategic partner countries: Canada, China, Japan, South Korea and the USA. At workshops held all over the world, experts will be placed into groups that will collaborate on a roadmap for sustainable, international cooperation in digital health. The Expert Groups will undertake collaborative actions in four focus areas: preventative care, integrated care, independent and connected living, and inclusive living for the rapidly growing aging population. 

Who can apply? The IDIH Project is looking for individuals whose expertise is in alignment with the aforementioned focus areas, have a proven track record in their field, and are able to contribute towards the objectives of the expert group. Please note the candidate must be from the EU, USA, Canada, China, Japan or South Korea to be considered. 

To apply, please send your CV with a short explanation on why you are interested in becoming an Expert Group member or Chair, to experts@idih-global.eu  

Act fast—the call for experts closes on January 31st, 2020! 

Key Themes at J.P. Morgan Health Conference

Last week, health care executives, innovators, and thought leaders came together for The 38th Annual J.P. Morgan Health Conference. Christina Farr of CNBC highlighted key themes she observed from the panel discussions and guests’ conversations, such as the need for narrowing the scope of digital health’s definition. The all-encompassing term that relates to the intersection of digital health and technology often creates confusion for patients and health care providers due to its breadth. Another key topic of discussion was the surge of big tech in the health care space. Google’s Project Nightingale served as the prime example of the conflict between data-sharing and privacy. Farr also noted a lack of racial, gender and patient advocate representation, whose presence add important voices often missing from the health tech conversation.

Fitbit Could Help Track the Flu

A study published by the Scripps Research Translational Institute suggests that resting heart rate and sleep duration data collected from Fitbit devices can inform models of population-level influenza trends. Typically, Centers for Disease Control influenza-like illness (ILI) data are reported one - three weeks late, and often revised. Wearable devices provide real-time estimates of ILI markers. The study obtained over 13 million resting heart rate and sleep duration measurements that denoted periods of illness, and combined the data points with three-week lagged CDC ILI incidence data. The real-time wearables estimates improved the correlational accuracy of their models by as much as 32.9%. The study’s results point to continuous monitoring technology’s capacity to inform and support efficient responses to potential outbreaks of large-scale diseases. 

Google Under Fire for Use of Health Data & More News

Google Collected Personal Health Data for R&D

This week, it was revealed that Google has been working with Ascension, the second largest health system in the country, on a program dubbed “Project Nightingale” since early 2018. The tech giant has been collecting and analyzing Ascension patients’ personal health data across 21 states. Google and Ascension undertook the project to develop a tool that uses machine learning and AI to aggregate health data in one place, streamlining one of the main hassles of EHRs. While Google Cloud’s President Tariq Shaukat assured the public that patient data will not be combined with Google consumer data, Project Nightingale adds to growing concerns surrounding privacy and data sharing in digital health -- concerns that have prompted a federal inquiry into the project by The Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services.

AI May Accurately Predict Risk of Death in AFib Patients

Researchers from Geisinger Health System have found that artificial intelligence technology was able to accurately identify patients at risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) and predict risk of death. The AI was trained through analysis of 30 years of electrocardiogram results and was able to identify at-risk patients more accurately than doctors interpreting test results normally. The results join a larger trend of technologies being developed to monitor heart arrhythmias such as AFib, with the hope that early intervention will lessen the risk of clotting, stroke, and heart failure for patients.

Announcing GuideWell’s 2020 Scale Up Accelerator: Aging in Place

GuideWell is proud to announce the 2020 Scale Up Accelerator: Aging in Place. With research suggesting that seniors are happier and healthier when they remain in their homes instead of assisted care facilities, GuideWell is sourcing solutions that empower seniors to maintain active and healthy lifestyles, while reducing the burden on their family members and caregivers.

10 health tech companies focused on senior care initiatives will be chosen to participate in an eight week accelerator program that will run from January 23rd, 2020 - March 9th, 2020, culminating in an invaluable Investor Matchmaking Showcase. 

If you have a solution that improves the overall physical and emotional wellness of seniors across the nation, here’s why you should participate:

• Access to GuideWell’s national network of experienced health/wellness experts and technology entrepreneurs as mentors

• Access to health care organizations within Orlando’s Lake Nona medical city and other health care organizations as customer prospects

• Curated 2-day boot camp followed by a series of virtual workshops that focus on challenges in health care industry customer acquisition, regulatory compliance and other health care specific business topics

• Opportunity to present at GuideWell’s curated heath tech investor matchmaking event

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! Applications close December 8th, 2019. https://guidewellinnovation.com/guidewell-scale-up-accelerator

Mastercard, Apple Target Health Care Product Offerings & More News

Mastercard Announces Health Cybersecurity Venture

Mastercard is the latest services giant to dive into the health care industry. At the 2019 HLTH Conference in Las Vegas, NV, the firm announced that it will be launching Mastercard Healthcare Solutions, a product suite of data security offerings aimed at payers and providers. In an effort to protect valuable health and financial information from data breaches, an issue that has severely crippled health systems in recent years, this collection of software products aims to integrate AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics to help payers curb fraud and enable providers to use more effective billing strategies to improve revenue cycle management.

Baby Boomers Targeted by Big Tech and Startups

In anticipation of the silver tsunami, Silicon Valley’s key players are offering products and services that fit the needs of the largest consumers of health services: baby boomers. Companies like Apple and Eargo are tackling hearing loss, a condition that research has shown to be a major barrier to the adoption of tech in older populations. This past June, Apple announced a feature that would alert Apple Watch users if environmental noise or smart technology audio is too loud, and Eargo now integrates their hearing aids with a companion app to provide a comprehensive auditory and social network. Efforts such as these are aiming to close the digital divide between generations as well as targeting a sector that is in need of innovation.

Applications for GuideWell’s Caring for Caregivers Challenge Close Nov. 15 - Act Fast!

There is only one month left to apply to GuideWell’s Caring for Caregivers Challenge, a competition that seeks team-based approaches that have the potential to improve the quality of life for both caregivers and care recipients. GuideWell believes it “takes a village” to sustainably support family caregivers and that single point solutions are typically not broad enough to provide necessary relief. The challenge seeks comprehensive approaches that connect caregivers to resources, technologies, corporate benefits, and community networks to help them with their unique health/wellness needs. 

If you are an organization or non-profit with a novel approach that promotes healthy and happy lifestyles for caregivers and their families, apply today for the chance to win up to $100,000! https://guidewellinnovation.com/health-innovation-challenge/

Medication Adherence Facilitated by Smartphones & More News

Study Shows Wireless Tech Effective for Medication Adherence

A recent study explored the effects of wirelessly observed therapy (WOT) on medication adherence in tuberculosis (TB) patients. WOT includes an ingestible sensor and external wearable patch paired with a mobile device that detects and records the ingestion of medication. Researchers found WOT was as accurate as in-person observations and better at supporting confirmed daily adherence. In addition, patients preferred WOT over in-person observation. Medication adherence is crucial to treat TB and prevent its spread; thus, WOT may be an impactful method to facilitate patients’ self-management of their medications and ensure they complete their treatment.

Amazon's Textract Innovates Simple Optical Character Recognition

Amazon has made its next leap into the digital health market. Textract is the latest of Amazon’s AI and Cloud tools to become HIPAA eligible. The technology reduces labour intensive work like manual data entry by accurately and effectively analyzing documents using machine learning-- bypassing the need for human intervention or customization. Textract is already being explored by companies such as Cambia Health Solutions and Change Healthcare to optimize care coordination and streamline administrative processes. The ability to customize Textract and utilize it in HIPAA compliant ways, will expand how health care providers can use the tool.

Smartphone-based Interventions Can Positively Impact Behavior

A study conducted by researchers at Stanford University found that behavioral interventions, delivered through a smartphone, significantly increased daily short-term physical activity. The trial was run through the MyHeart Counts App. Following a baseline period, participants were assigned one of four different smartphone-based interventions such as hourly prompts and personalized coaching messages. Results indicated that all four interventions significantly increased mean step count when compared to baseline, suggesting that digital interventions delivered via mobile apps can impact behavior. In addition, the medium through which the study itself was conducted, an iPhone, illustrates how technology can reduce barriers to entry for individuals to participate in research. This study is the latest to examine the intersection between research and health tech, highlighting the interest in digital behavioral tracking and optimization.

Indu Subaiya’s Vision for the Future of Health Care

Indu Subaiya, co-founder of Catalyst and Health 2.0, discussed her journey to becoming the visionary health care leader she is today with Maya De La Rosa Cohen, a contributor for Capsule’s “Dear Doctor” series.

Indu began her career at a biotech and life sciences consulting firm, where she combined her clinical background with her burgeoning interest in the adaptation of new technologies. After receiving her MBA from UC Berkeley, she worked to start her own health technology company. In 2006, her dream blossomed into Health 2.0, which she established with co-founder Matthew Holt. Health 2.0 has grown into a global movement of over 100,000 entrepreneurs, developers, and health care stakeholders, who come together for innovative conferences across the world. Through her engagement with the conference attendees and speakers, Indu recognized the dire need for open data that allows entrepreneurs to access the resources necessary to improve the health economy. Hence, Indu began Catalyst @ Health 2.0 or “Catalyst,” an industry leader that powers the health innovation ecosystem through digital health strategic partnering. Since its beginning in 2010, Catalyst has hosted 90+ innovation challenges with $9mm in awards, coordinated over 175 pilot programs to test new tech, and created connections for more than 1,500 firms via matchmaking events. 

Indu believes the future of digital health lies in transformation of the traditional health care delivery systems. For example, Virta, a diabetes management company, began as a remote monitoring platform. However, it has now developed into a fully functional health care delivery system that fuses technology with service. As digital tools and technology advance in the health care space, Indu predicts that the traditional model of health care will face massive threats and will need to reinvent its services to keep up with the speed at which innovations are happening.

To hear more about Indu’s thoughts on the future of health care and digital innovation, click here.