NHS adopts AI to combat absenteeism and expedite elective care waiting times
The National Health Service (NHS) is on the brink of an innovative leap, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) across an additional ten trusts with the aim of curtailing missed appointments and thus liberating valuable staff hours. This strategic move is anticipated to significantly dent the backlog in elective care waiting lists.
This initiative’s expansion comes in the wake of a triumphant pilot programme at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. This particular programme witnessed a near one-third reduction in patient no-shows within a mere six-month span.
The pioneering software, a collaborative creation between Deep Medical and contributions from both a frontline worker and an NHS clinical fellow, utilises algorithms alongside anonymised patient data to foresee potential appointment absences. It ingeniously taps into various external factors, such as weather conditions, traffic situations, and employment statuses, to deduce possible reasons behind a patient’s failure to attend. To counteract these challenges, it proposes alternative booking options that align more closely with the patient’s availability, including after-hours and weekend slots for those unable to take daytime leave.
Moreover, the software cleverly incorporates a system of intelligent backup bookings, ensuring that no clinical time goes to waste and optimising overall operational efficiency.
The six-month trial at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust produced remarkable results: a 30% decrease in no-shows, 377 prevented missed appointments, and an additional 1,910 patients seen. Given these outcomes, projections suggest the trust could save approximately £27.5 million annually by persisting with this programme, benefiting a population of 1.2 million.
Deep Medical, under the co-founder duo Dr Benyamin Deldar and AI connoisseur David Hanbury, is at the forefront of this technological advancement. Dr Deldar highlights the software’s dual benefit: drastically reducing missed appointments and repurposing these slots for other patients, thereby enhancing both financial savings and public healthcare delivery.
The imminent roll-out to an additional ten trusts across England marks a significant step forward in this AI-powered journey.
In a concerted effort to recuperate elective care services post-pandemic and address prolonged waits for routine procedures, the NHS is embracing cutting-edge technologies and innovations, including AI. This approach aims to tackle the prevalent issue of missed hospital appointments, which amounts to hundreds of thousands each month, thus ensuring more judicious use of clinical time and expedited access to care for waiting list patients.
Annual statistics reveal a startling 6.4% no-show rate among the 124.5 million outpatient appointments across NHS England, translating into a financial strain of £1.2 billion.
The analysis also uncovers that physiotherapy appointments bear the brunt of absenteeism, with an 11% no-show rate, followed closely by cardiology, ophthalmology, and trauma and orthopaedics.
Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS England’s National Director for Transformation, praises the NHS’s innovative spirit and its openness to novel operational methods that ensure timely patient care. He underscores the AI initiative’s capacity to not only refine patient services but also to foster a more economical utilisation of taxpayer funds.
Moreover, he emphasises the role of such AI pilots in empowering patients to manage their healthcare more effectively and in addressing health inequalities.
The University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust exemplifies another facet of AI application through ‘process mining’. This technique offers insights into the efficacy of existing processes, spotlighting bottlenecks and areas ripe for improvement.
Notably, during its pilot, the Trust identified a correlation between high deprivation scores and increased DNAs, with a marked surge in last-minute cancellations post two SMS reminders. Adapting their strategy to send reminders 14 days and then four days prior to an appointment significantly reduced no-show rates from 10% to 4% among a targeted patient group.
Encouraged by these results, the Trust is now exploring the application of process mining to theatre scheduling, aiming for further efficiency gains and enhancements
Read MoreBMI found outdated for childhood obesity measurement in Bristol study
A groundbreaking study hailing from Bristol has shed new light on the efficacy of current methods used to assess childhood obesity, proposing a shift towards a more precise alternative. This research scrutinises the longstanding reliance on Body Mass Index (BMI) for evaluating obesity in children, suggesting that the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) could serve as a superior metric.
The comprehensive analysis spanned over 15 years and delved into the health metrics of 7,237 children, each nine years of age, revealing significant insights. These findings challenge the existing guidelines that favour BMI as the standard obesity measure, underlining the urgent need for more accurate obesity detection in paediatric health.
Published in the prestigious journal Paediatric Research, this study is a component of the expansive Children of the 90s project, drawing attention to the escalating obesity rates amongst 10 and 11-year-olds in England, a surge notably exacerbated by the Covid pandemic and yet to recede to pre-pandemic figures.
Professor Julian Hamilton-Shield, a consultant paediatrician at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and a leading figure in the study, voiced concerns over the increasing prevalence of severe obesity and its complications observed in his weight management clinic. “The uptick in severe obesity levels and its attendant severe complications underscores the necessity for reliable measures that offer a clearer insight into an individual’s health status,” stated Prof Hamilton-Shield.
The research team scrutinised BMI data sourced from the government’s National Child Measurement Programme, which annually assesses approximately a million Year 6 students across England. While BMI has been a cornerstone in determining healthy weight parameters, offering a simple and quick assessment method based on height and weight, its limitations are becoming increasingly apparent. Specifically, BMI fails to account for body frame variations or muscle mass, rendering it an incomplete measure of body fat.
This limitation is particularly poignant when considering that BMI might categorise individuals with significant muscle mass, such as rugby players, as having obesity, highlighting its outdated nature. In contrast, the study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Bristol, the University of Exeter, and the University of Eastern Finland, advocates for the WHtR as a viable replacement for BMI. This method promises a more accurate assessment of excess fat mass in children and adolescents.
Professor Andrew Agbaje, the lead author of the study, emphasised the practicality and effectiveness of the waist circumference-to-height ratio. “Utilising just a measuring tape, we can accurately identify eight out of ten children who genuinely have obesity. Furthermore, this method allows us to correctly recognise 93 out of 100 individuals who, despite being muscular, would be mistakenly classified as overweight or having obesity by BMI standards,” Prof Agbaje explained.
He further highlighted that unlike BMI, which fluctuates with age and sex, the waist-to-height ratio remains consistent, irrespective of these variables. This finding underscores the potential of WHtR to revolutionise how childhood obesity is measured, offering a more nuanced understanding of body composition and facilitating the identification of true obesity, thus enabling more targeted and effective interventions.
Read MoreStudy highlights higher incidence of musculoskeletal issues in young girls with obesity
Recent research indicates a concerning trend among young girls aged 4 to 11 who are overweight or have obesity, showing they are more frequently visiting GPs for musculoskeletal problems compared to their counterparts of a healthy weight.
The study reveals that girls in their first year of school (reception year) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) classified as overweight have a 24% increased likelihood of attending a GP appointment for a musculoskeletal issue at least once. This probability soars to 67% for girls identified as living with obesity. Furthermore, by the time they reach year 6, girls with obesity are 20% more likely to consult a GP for similar problems. Conversely, boys in the same age bracket with a BMI categorised as underweight were found to be 61% less likely to seek such medical advice compared to their peers of a normal weight.
The most frequently reported problems were related to knee and back pain, as outlined in the results published in the “Archives of Disease in Childhood” journal, focusing on a specific London area.
Nicola Firman, the study’s lead author and a health data scientist at Queen Mary University of London, emphasised the scarcity of longitudinal studies examining the link between obesity and musculoskeletal health outcomes during childhood. Despite a systematic review revealing a general lack of substantial evidence, this study aims to bridge that gap by investigating these health outcomes in an ethnically diverse population within the UK, known for its high rates of childhood obesity and social deprivation.
Among the youngest participants, knee pain was reported by 46% of boys and 41.5% of girls, with these figures slightly decreasing among year 6 students to 40.4% for boys and 36% for girls. In terms of back pain, 22% of reception year boys and a higher 32% of girls experienced this issue, which increased to 30% for boys and an alarming 45% for girls by year 6.
Interestingly, the study noted that reception year girls with obesity were significantly more inclined to consult their GP over musculoskeletal issues than their healthy weight female peers, a trend not observed among boys.
Firman also referenced studies from Spain and the USA, noting an observed rise in back pain incidents among girls, not boys, highlighting the global need for more longitudinal research to fully understand the relationship between childhood obesity and musculoskeletal health.
The research sample included primary school children from four ethnically diverse local authorities in north-east London.
Katharine Jenner, Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, responded to these findings with concern, stressing that primary school-aged children should be enjoying their youth actively rather than facing the physical limitations and pains leading to GP consultations. She criticised the government’s lack of action on its obesity strategy, pointing out that the goal to halve childhood obesity by 2030 is becoming increasingly unattainable without significant policy changes and implementations.
Research indicates higher likelihood of midlife obesity in individuals whose parents had obesity
In the midst of growing concerns regarding global health, a pivotal study poised for presentation at the esteemed European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, from 12th to 15th May 2024, sheds light on the intergenerational transmission of obesity, revealing profound insights into how parental obesity significantly influences the likelihood of obesity in their offspring during middle age.
This groundbreaking research, led by Mari Mikkelsen from the Department of Community Medicine at UiT Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, embarks on a novel investigation into the persistence of obesity from one generation to the next, particularly extending beyond adolescence and well into adulthood—a period often overlooked in previous studies. Mikkelsen’s team delved into the intricate relationship between the Body Mass Index (BMI) of parents and their adult children, employing data meticulously gathered from the Tromsø Study, a comprehensive, ongoing population-based health study.
The analysis encompassed 2,068 parent-offspring trios, focusing on individuals aged 40-59 years who participated in the seventh wave (2015-2016) of the Tromsø Study, with their parents’ data drawn from the fourth wave (1994-1995). The findings illuminate a compelling correlation between the BMI of parents in their middle years and that of their children at a similar stage in life, underscoring a pronounced genetic and environmental legacy of obesity.
Specifically, the study reveals that when both parents had a BMI indicating obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) during their forties and fifties, their offspring were six times more likely to experience obesity at the same age compared to those whose parents were within a normal weight range (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²). Moreover, the presence of obesity in just one parent still significantly elevated the likelihood of the offspring living with obesity, with the odds being over three times higher.
An intriguing aspect of the research was the quantification of the BMI transmission effect: an offspring’s BMI increased by 0.8 units for each 4-unit rise in the mother’s BMI and by 0.74 units for every 3.1-unit increase in the father’s BMI. These findings persisted even after adjustments for several variables, including the sex, age, education, and physical activity levels of both parents and offspring.
Mikkelsen’s team provides a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted factors contributing to this familial trend in obesity. Genetic predispositions play a crucial role by influencing susceptibility to weight gain and shaping reactions to an increasingly obesogenic environment. Additionally, shared family behaviours concerning diet and exercise, established during childhood and adolescence, may further perpetuate similar BMI statuses within families.
This profound research not only reinforces the enduring impact of familial obesity patterns but also emphasises the critical need for effective obesity prevention and treatment strategies. By highlighting the long-lasting consequences of parental obesity on their children into middle age, the study paves the way for future research aimed at identifying and mitigating the factors responsible for the intergenerational transmission of obesity. In doing so, it offers hope for breaking the cycle of obesity and fostering a healthier future for subsequent generations.
Read MoreDefinitive link between obesity and deteriorating mental health, particularly for women, uncovered
A recent comprehensive investigation, published in the esteemed journal PLOS ONE, unveils a concerning correlation between increased body mass index (BMI) and adverse mental health outcomes, such as heightened depression and diminished well-being, with this association being particularly pronounced amongst women.
Conducted by the School of Public Health at University College Cork, Ireland, the study highlights that lifestyle choices bear minimal influence on the mental health challenges associated with obesity. The research meticulously scrutinised the health records of 1,821 individuals, aged between 46 and 73, who were meticulously selected from a vast patient pool at a leading primary care facility.
The investigation meticulously evaluated the linkage between mental health indicators and obesity, employing BMI and waist-to-height ratios as primary metrics, while duly adjusting for lifestyle habits and pre-existing health conditions. Utilising the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale alongside the World Health Organization’s Five Well-Being Index, the study embarked on a holistic approach to gauge mental health.
Participants were required to undertake an overnight fasting session prior to submitting blood samples, which were analysed for fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin levels. In addition, measurements of height, weight, and waist circumference were conducted, facilitating precise BMI calculations.
The comprehensive health and lifestyle questionnaire completed by participants enabled researchers to meticulously analyse demographic data, lifestyle choices, and concurrent health conditions, thereby ensuring a nuanced understanding of the study’s demographic.
The findings startlingly indicated a direct association between obesity markers, such as elevated BMI and waist-to-height ratios, and increased depressive symptoms alongside lower well-being levels, with a notable disparity observed between genders, indicating a significantly more pronounced effect in women.
This revelation aligns with prior studies, reinforcing the intricate interplay between obesity, societal, and physiological factors. The stigma, discrimination, and social prejudice faced by individuals with obesity, coupled with physical ailments like joint and back pain, are identified as potential catalysts for depressive symptoms.
Experts, including Dr. Eva Panigrahi from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, who was not involved in the study, underscore the biological nexus between obesity and depression. Dr. Panigrahi elaborates on the cyclical nature of this relationship, exacerbated by a myriad of physiological and psychopathological factors, further complicating the clinical picture.
The research advocates for targeted interventions aimed at mitigating depression through effective weight management strategies at the community level, underpinning the intricate relationship long observed between obesity and depression.
Dr. Mir Ali of the MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in California, echoes the sentiment that the interconnection between obesity and mental health is multifaceted, highlighting the persistent societal stigma and discrimination against those with obesity despite advancements in understanding its complexities.
The study also sheds light on the therapeutic potential of certain antidepressants that do not provoke weight gain, such as bupropion, and the efficacy of evidence-based psychotherapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in treating depression and managing weight concurrently.
Key strengths of this investigation include the utilisation of validated depression and well-being scales, dual indexes for measuring adiposity, and equitable gender representation among participants. However, its limitation lies in the homogeneity of the study sample, predominantly European-Caucasian from a single primary care centre, potentially limiting the generalisability of the findings.
Furthermore, Dr. Panigrahi critiques the cross-sectional design of the study, which restricts the ability to establish causal relationships, a common challenge in observational research that gathers data at a single point in time. This limitation underscores the necessity for longitudinal studies to further elucidate the intricate dynamics between obesity and mental health, particularly across diverse populations.
Read MoreStudy indicates significant benefits from obesity care, though few receive it
Obesity represents a significant global health challenge, marked by its complex aetiology and the substantial health risks it poses. Effective management of obesity can dramatically improve health outcomes, yet access to comprehensive obesity care remains limited for many. A recent study conducted by a team from Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan has shed light on the effectiveness of various obesity treatment strategies and highlighted the disparity in access to these interventions.
The study, engaging tens of thousands of individuals diagnosed with obesity, meticulously evaluated the outcomes of diverse weight management interventions, including nutrition counselling, medically supervised meal replacements, anti-obesity medications, and bariatric surgery. The findings revealed that the likelihood of achieving a weight loss of 5% or more within a year varied significantly across the different treatment modalities, ranging from nearly one in four to almost certain success, depending on the specific intervention utilised.
Notably, the research emphasised that a modest weight loss of just 5% can have profound health benefits, underscoring the importance of accessible and effective weight management strategies. However, a critical observation from the study was the underutilisation of available treatments, with a mere fraction of the study population receiving any form of medically endorsed weight management care from their primary healthcare providers.
The investigation revealed a troubling gap in the provision of obesity-related healthcare, with the majority of individuals suffering from obesity not receiving adequate treatment through their regular healthcare channels. This gap is not due to a lack of effective treatments but rather to a systemic failure to integrate these options into standard care practices. The study’s authors advocate for a more proactive approach by primary care clinics, health systems, and insurers to facilitate access to and engagement with effective obesity treatments.
In response to these findings, the University of Michigan has embarked on an innovative programme aimed at transforming obesity care. The Weight Navigation Program, spearheaded by Dina Hafez Griauzde, M.D., M.Sc., and Andrew Kraftson, M.D., seeks to offer personalised treatment paths for patients, leveraging the expertise of board-certified obesity medicine physicians and ongoing support mechanisms, including digital communication tools, to ensure long-term engagement and success.
This initiative not only provides immediate care options for individuals struggling with obesity but also serves as a model for integrating evidence-based weight management strategies into primary care, potentially reshaping the landscape of obesity treatment.
The study conducted by Michigan Medicine highlights the critical need for improved access to and utilisation of weight management treatments in the fight against obesity. By demonstrating the efficacy of various treatment options and pioneering new approaches to care delivery, the research team has laid a foundation for a more inclusive and effective obesity care framework. As healthcare systems and insurers begin to recognise and address the barriers to obesity treatment, there is hope for a future where comprehensive, personalised obesity care is accessible to all who need it.
Read MoreOver a billion people now affected by obesity worldwide, comprehensive analysis shows
A groundbreaking analysis published in The Lancet has highlighted a concerning milestone in global health: the number of children, adolescents, and adults living with obesity worldwide has exceeded one billion. This significant finding marks a shift in the nutritional challenges faced globally, with obesity now surpassing undernutrition as the predominant form of malnutrition in the majority of countries.
This detailed examination of global data reveals a stark increase in obesity rates among the world’s youth in 2022, which are now four times higher than they were in 1990. For adults, the increase is equally alarming, with obesity rates more than doubling for women and nearly tripling for men. Specifically, the analysis found that 159 million children and adolescents, along with 879 million adults, were living with obesity in 2022.
Simultaneously, the study reports a decline in the prevalence of underweight individuals since 1990, indicating progress in one area of malnutrition but highlighting the growing concern of obesity. Professor Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London, a leading figure in the study, expressed grave concerns about the obesity epidemic’s expansion into younger demographics and stressed the importance of improving access to healthy, nutritious foods to combat both obesity and undernutrition.
The study, a collaborative effort between the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), analysed weight and height measurements from over 220 million people aged five years and older across more than 190 countries. This extensive data collection aimed to trace the evolution of obesity and underweight from 1990 to 2022, using Body Mass Index (BMI) as a key measure.
The findings reveal a dramatic rise in obesity rates globally, with significant increases observed in nearly all countries examined. In parallel, there has been a notable decline in underweight rates, shifting the focus of nutritional health challenges.
Regionally, the study provides detailed insights into the prevalence of obesity and underweight. For instance, in Polynesia and Micronesia, as well as in the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa, obesity rates have surged, surpassing those in many high-income industrialised countries, particularly in Europe. Specifically, Tonga and American Samoa reported the highest prevalence of obesity among women, while American Samoa and Nauru topped the list for men.
In contrast, the United Kingdom saw its obesity rates climb from 13.8% to 28.3% for women and from 10.7% to 26.9% for men between 1990 and 2022. Similarly, the United States experienced a significant increase in obesity rates, with women’s rates jumping from 21.2% to 43.8% and men’s from 16.9% to 41.6% over the same period.
China and India also witnessed notable increases in obesity rates, albeit from lower baselines. China’s obesity rates rose from 2.0% to 7.8% for women and from 0.8% to 8.9% for men, while India saw increases from 1.2% to 9.8% for women and from 0.5% to 5.4% for men.
Despite these increases, the study also highlighted countries where underweight remains a significant concern, with Eritrea and Timor-Leste for women, and Eritrea and Ethiopia for men, recording the highest prevalence of underweight in 2022.
The study underscores the complex global challenge of addressing both obesity and undernutrition, emphasising the need for comprehensive policy measures and international cooperation to tackle these issues effectively. Despite limitations, such as the imperfect nature of BMI as a measure and variable data availability, the analysis provides a crucial overview of global nutritional trends, highlighting the urgent need for action to create a healthier global population.
Read MoreUnlocking the secrets of effective mental health therapy through AI: A groundbreaking study
In a landmark development within the healthcare sector, a recent study has shed light on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models to revolutionise mental health therapy on a global scale. This study, which meticulously analysed over 20 million text-based counselling messages, offers new insights into the dynamics of successful therapy, marking a significant step forward in understanding and enhancing mental health treatment.
Published in the Journal of The American Medical Association (JAMA) Open, this research stands as the most extensive of its kind to date. The study employed AI to scrutinise more than 160,000 anonymised, text-based counselling sessions, encompassing a staggering total of 20 million texts. This approach has established a new precedent in mental health research, focusing not on substituting AI for human therapists, but on dissecting the efficacy of human interaction within behavioural health care.
The primary objective of this investigation was to illuminate how certain conversational elements in therapy could predict patient satisfaction, engagement, and clinical outcomes. By employing AI in a responsible manner, the researchers were able to unveil the correlation between the substance of mental health dialogues and key indicators of treatment success.
One of the study’s pivotal discoveries is the direct link between empathetic counselling and improved patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. This finding suggests that AI can play a crucial role in bolstering the connection between therapists and their patients. The research also highlighted the importance of supportive counselling in achieving better patient outcomes, emphasising the critical role of human elements such as warmth, empathy, genuine curiosity, and insight in facilitating patient progress.
This collaborative research effort was spearheaded by health tech company Lyssn.io, known for its AI-based quality assurance and clinician training platform, and online therapy provider Talkspace. Talkspace, a New York City-based company established in 2012, offers asynchronous, text-based therapy and has significantly expanded access to mental health services through its platform, which serves approximately 113 million individuals through various partnerships.
The study utilised anonymised patient data provided by Talkspace, analysed using Lyssn’s advanced AI platform. This collaboration aimed to overcome the challenges associated with traditional methods of evaluating therapy quality, which are often labour-intensive, costly, and impractical on a large scale.
The utilisation of AI and large language models introduces a novel approach to examining the nuances of mental health therapy and the clinician-patient dialogue. This methodology promises to enhance clinician training by providing detailed feedback on therapeutic practices, ultimately leading to improved treatment outcomes, patient engagement, and satisfaction.
Furthermore, the study’s findings challenge the preconceived notion that AI and digital health technologies might dehumanise mental health therapy or replace human therapists. Instead, it underscores the potential of AI to enrich the therapeutic process, offering therapists additional tools and insights to enhance their interactions with clients, thereby fostering a stronger therapist-patient connection.
This research not only sets a new benchmark in mental health study but also opens the door to using AI in advancing mental health clinician training. By highlighting the indispensable value of human interaction in therapy and demonstrating how AI can augment these interactions, the study paves the way for future innovations in mental health treatment that harmonise technology and human empathy.
Read MoreWorld Health Organisation unveils new Global Digital Health Initiative to transform healthcare
In a significant step towards advancing global health care through technology, the World Health Organisation (WHO) unveiled its Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) on Tuesday (20th of February, 2024). This initiative represents a coordinated network managed by WHO, aimed at bolstering and harmonising resources to support the digital transformation of health care led by countries around the world.
The GIDH is set to fortify collaboration and knowledge sharing, serving as a critical mechanism for the execution of the Global Strategy on Digital Health for the period 2020-2025. Its objectives include evaluating and addressing the digital health requirements of member countries to ensure sustainable transformation, enhancing capacity building, and unifying efforts to promote the local development, maintenance, and adaptation of digital health technologies in response to evolving health care needs.
An executive summary released alongside the GIDH’s launch highlighted that over 120 WHO Member States have formulated national digital health policies or strategies. However, many of these strategies lack detailed financial planning or comprehensive architectural designs. Moreover, the rapid progression of digital health transformation faces hurdles such as fragmented resource allocation, inconsistent definitions, and varying quality levels of digital solutions.
A pivotal concern among countries is the transition from product-centric digital health initiatives to the establishment of a national digital health infrastructure. This transition necessitates reliable, high-quality technical support to meet national digital health priorities effectively, with governments leading the charge.
To combat challenges like effort duplication and product-focused digital health transformation, the GIDH is structured around four foundational pillars. These pillars are designed to ensure that digital health investments align with national priorities through a country needs tracker, identify both conventional and innovative funding opportunities via a country resource portal, enhance country capacity and autonomy through a transformation toolbox, and promote robust collaboration and knowledge sharing across digital health networks globally, regionally, and nationally.
A particular focus of the GIDH is on data sharing and enhancing patient access to digital health tools. Mathias Cormann, secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, emphasised during a webinar that the initiative could significantly contribute to improving data sharing and patient access to digital tools. He pointed out the underutilisation of health-related data, which, despite constituting 30% of the world’s data, sees less than 1% used in healthcare decision-making. Cormann also highlighted the introduction of public application programming interfaces (APIs) for health data by at least 14 OECD countries, which could serve as valuable models for similar efforts worldwide.
Improving patient access remains a priority, with 23 out of 27 OECD countries reporting that patients can view their electronic health records. Nevertheless, the accessibility of this data to all patients and health providers is limited, and functionality issues persist.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director-general, warmly welcomed the GIDH, underscoring WHO’s longstanding commitment to leveraging technology to enhance health. He mentioned the establishment of the Department of Digital Health and Innovation at WHO and the creation of a global digital health certification network. This network facilitates the bilateral verification of digital records and health certificates across over 75 countries. Additionally, WHO recently introduced guidelines for member states on regulatory considerations for artificial intelligence, marking another stride towards assisting countries in achieving their digital transformation ambitions.
Dr Tedros highlighted the challenges of fragmentation and overlap in the digital health sphere, exacerbated by the proliferation of new digital tools lacking common standards. He advocated for a digital health future characterised by interoperable systems, reducing the workload on health care providers and improving service delivery to the public. The emphasis is on governments having access to quality-assured digital tools and resources necessary for the local production and ownership of digital health solutions.
This initiative builds on WHO’s recent policy brief on digital health data, including new guidelines on “person-centred” HIV strategic information, reinforcing its dedication to shaping a future where digital health tools are integral to global health care enhancement.
Read MoreDigital health solutions must adapt to elderly needs, South Korean study shows
A recent investigative endeavour originating from South Korea sheds light on the nuanced relationship between the elderly population and their engagement with digital healthcare solutions. This intricate study, a collaborative effort spearheaded by esteemed institutions and corporations such as Seoul National University, Yonsei University, aged care specialist Silvia Health, and digital therapeutics pioneer WELT Corp., embarks on an exploration to dissect the utilisation patterns and satisfaction levels derived from healthcare applications and wearable health devices among older Koreans.
The research team embarked on a pioneering journey to delineate the disparities in digital health technology adoption between seniors who are either pre-frail, frail, or healthy. This distinctive approach has positioned them as frontrunners in analysing how frailty influences digital health technology use within this demographic.
Garnering support through a grant from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the findings of this pivotal study have been meticulously documented in the esteemed Journal of Korean Medical Science.
Engaging with a cohort of 505 participants, all aged 65 and above, the study reveals that 30% of these individuals are categorised as frail by Korean healthcare standards, with the remainder classified as healthy. A noteworthy revelation from this survey is the digital literacy gap among the respondents: whilst all participants are smartphone users, a significant 63% admit to facing challenges in managing mobile applications independently.
The investigation unveils that merely a quarter of the surveyed group actively utilises healthcare applications, with a higher propensity observed among the healthy elderly. For the frail segment, these digital tools serve primarily as conduits for accessing healthcare information and procuring medical advice, significantly enhancing their self-care capabilities and the management of personal health data.
Conversely, the adoption of wearable health devices remains markedly low, with just 36 out of the 500+ respondents integrating such technologies into their daily lives. These devices, ranging from smartwatches to patch-type gadgets, are predominantly utilised for monitoring physical activity. It emerges that healthy individuals appreciate the convenience offered by wearable devices more than their frail counterparts, who, however, value these devices for their potential to aid in making critical healthcare decisions, such as the timing of hospital visits.
South Korea stands at the cusp of a demographic shift, with senior citizens currently constituting nearly 20% of its population, a figure anticipated to escalate sharply in the coming decades. This evolving demographic landscape underscores the urgency for tailored digital health solutions that cater specifically to the elderly’s unique needs.
The study’s findings highlight a discernible disparity in the use of digital health tools between frail and healthy seniors, advocating for the development of technologies that are not only accessible but also specifically designed to address the distinct requirements of this age group.
The researchers articulate a compelling argument for a more nuanced approach to digital health technology, stressing the importance of understanding the elderly’s specific needs and expectations. They advocate for the integration of customised services into digital devices, particularly those that cater to the frequently used services by pre-frail and frail older adults.
In a country renowned for its high smartphone penetration rates, South Korea is uniquely positioned to leverage mobile health technologies to enhance the health outcomes of its ageing population. A previous study in 2022 highlighted the potential of these technologies to mitigate the impact of social determinants on health, emphasising, however, that they cannot supplant the traditional care settings.
This groundbreaking study not only illuminates the current landscape of digital health technology usage among the elderly in South Korea but also charts a path forward for the development of more inclusive and effective digital health solutions, ensuring that the ageing population remains connected, informed, and empowered in managing their health.
Read MoreWeight-loss pharmaceuticals could spur 1% increase in US GDP, Goldman Sachs suggests
In a recent analysis, Goldman Sachs posits that the extensive deployment of innovative weight-loss medications across the United States has the potential to catalyse a significant uplift in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by as much as 1% in the forthcoming years. This optimistic forecast is grounded in the anticipation that a reduction in obesity-related health issues could substantially enhance productivity within the workforce.
The market for these weight-loss medications is anticipated to burgeon, potentially reaching a staggering $100 billion annually by the decade’s end. Leading this burgeoning sector are pharmaceutical giants such as Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, and Eli Lilly, the producer of Mounjaro. Both companies are at the forefront of developing a category of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, which have garnered significant interest from various pharmaceutical firms. The projections by Goldman Sachs suggest that consumer uptake of GLP-1 agonists could surge, varying from 10 million to an ambitious 70 million by the year 2028.
The economists at Goldman Sachs elaborate on the potential economic ramifications of this increase in GLP-1 usage, linking it directly to anticipated declines in obesity rates. Citing academic research, they highlight the dual challenge posed by obesity: affected individuals are less likely to be employed and exhibit lower productivity levels when they are in the workforce. According to their analysis, an increase to 30 million users of weight-loss drugs could potentially boost the US GDP by 0.4%, with the potential for a 1% increase if user numbers reach 60 million.
However, the report has not been without its critics, especially from advocates of the body-positivity movement, who may view the report’s implications with scepticism or concern.
Moreover, the report underscores a broader wave of healthcare innovation, particularly highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery processes, combined with the impact of GLP-1 agonists. Together, these advancements could elevate the US GDP by an additional 1.3%, translating to an economic boost of approximately $360 billion per annum at current exchange rates. The potential increase could range from 0.6% to 3.2%, with the effects expected to be more pronounced in the US compared to other developed nations, which generally exhibit better health outcomes.
In parallel, research into weight-loss drugs is expanding to explore their efficacy in treating a range of conditions, from alcohol dependency to dementia. Medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which contain the drug semaglutide, and another medication, liraglutide, used under various brand names for both diabetes and weight loss, have seen a surge in popularity. This is partly due to their proven capability to assist individuals in shedding more than 10% of their body weight. The potential for these drugs to confer additional health benefits is being actively investigated in new clinical trials, signalling a promising horizon for medical research and public health.
Read MoreAustralia’s health tech boom: A new era of patient care and economic growth
In the realm of healthcare, a transformative wave of technological innovation is heralding an era of enhanced employment opportunities, a more sophisticated health infrastructure, and significantly improved patient care outcomes in Australia. This perspective is championed by the Assistant Minister for Health, Ged Kearney, who underscores the dual benefits of advancing health technology – economic growth and healthcare improvement.
According to a revealing independent analysis unveiled by Kearney at Parliament House, each million dollars of investment in this sector is responsible for generating fifty-six new full-time positions. Moreover, this investment yields more than quadruple the gross economic value for every dollar expended, showcasing the substantial economic leverage of health technology advancements.
For years, Australia has grappled with a self-perception of excelling in research while faltering in the commercialisation of innovative ideas. However, this narrative is undergoing a radical change, thanks in part to a flagship initiative. This initiative, buoyed by industry support and the federal medical research future fund, meticulously evaluates the economic impact of digital health advancements in diagnosis, monitoring, and recovery, particularly within the comfort of patients’ homes.
Kearney emphasises the initiative’s role in steering the health system towards offering more personalised and interconnected healthcare solutions. The ANDHealth+ programme exemplifies this approach through its “idea to exit” business accelerator model, which allocates funding and specialised assistance to domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with significant growth prospects.
Bronwyn Le Grice, CEO of ANDHealth, highlights the global impact potential of these technologies, which include innovations for more precise and rapid epilepsy diagnosis, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in determining the efficacy of eye disease medications, and remote cardiac rehabilitation monitoring by leading cardiologists.
One notable invention is “Oli”, an AI-enhanced wearable device that tracks vital signs to identify expectant mothers at risk of complications during childbirth. This device, named after the founder’s son and produced by Baymatob in Sydney’s inner west, represents the cutting-edge intersection of medical devices and software intelligence.
The programme’s efficacy is underscored by LEK Consulting, which recognises the business model’s potential to address Australia’s commercialisation challenges, suggesting its applicability across various sectors. To date, 850 digital health companies have received support, raising a total of $161.8 million in capital, creating 512 new jobs, conducting numerous clinical trials, reaching over one million patients, and launching 30 products internationally.
With 755 startups still operational, these figures testify to the resilience and success of companies in a challenging landscape for new ventures and investors. The report also notes that companies focusing on diagnostics, monitoring, and screening are leading job creators.
Despite the obstacles of prolonged development phases and the necessity of comprehensive clinical trials for regulatory approval, the sector’s pioneers remain optimistic. Le Grice advocates for supporting innovation, irrespective of its origin, emphasising the importance of evidence-based technologies capable of transforming lives.
This paradigm shift towards integrating health technology into economic strategy not only revitalises patient care but also propels Australia closer to overcoming its commercialisation hurdle, heralding a future where health and wealth are intrinsically linked.
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