Archive | December, 2011

Health IT in 2012: a dynamic sector in the context of a fiscally-challenged health system

By on December 20, 2011 in Electronic health records, Health care information technology, HITECH Act, Internet and Health, Medical technology, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PPACA, Telehealth, Telemedicine

2012 will be a dynamic year for health information technology (health IT) in the U.S., which I outline in my annual health IT forecast in iHealthBeat, the online publication on technology and health care published by the California HealthCare Foundation. The full forecast can be found here. The key headlines for you Reader’s Digest abridged fans are that: [...]

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Consumers are at the center of the business of health and wellness

By on December 16, 2011 in Accountable Care Organizations, Corporate wellness, Design and health, Health at home, Health care marketing, Health Consumers, Health engagement, Health marketing, Home care, Medication adherence, mHealth, Mobile health, Prevention and wellness, Remote health monitoring, Telehealth, Women and health, Workplace wellness

The market for health and wellness has traditionally included over-the-counter medicines, gym memberships, and vitamins/minerals/supplements. In 2012, the boundaries of health/wellness are blurring beyond these line items toward preventive medical services and consumer electronics. This morphing market is discussed by Cambridge Consultants in their report on the disruptions driving The Business of Health & Wellness: Engaging consumers [...]

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Consumer engagement in health: greater cost-consciousness and demand for cost/quality information

By on December 14, 2011 in Health care information technology, Health Consumers, Health Economics, Health engagement, Health insurance, Health literacy, Internet and Health, Managed care

People enrolled in consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) are more likely than enrollees in traditional health insurance products to be cost-conscious. In particular, CDHP members check prices before they receive health care services, ask for generic drugs versus branded Rx’s, talk to doctors about treatment options and their costs, and use online cost-tracking tools. Furthermore, CDHP [...]

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UK finds telehealth reduces mortality by 45%; telehealth’s tipping point in 2012

By on December 13, 2011 in Medical innovation, Medical technology, Medication adherence, mHealth, Mobile health, Telehealth, Telemedicine

As we approach 2012, we health prognosticators like to forecast what we’ll likely see in 2012. One of the for-certain trends will be the uptake of telehealth programs, which will be publicly, privately, and jointly-funded. The business case is clear for telehealth, both in the U.S. and globally. Jon Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine [...]

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Peoples’ decline in health information seeking related to the fall of print and educational attainment

By on December 8, 2011 in Health Consumers, Health disparities, Health engagement, Health literacy, Health social networks, Internet and Health, Internet Demographics, media and health, medical home

The percentage of U.S. adults seeking health information declined from 2007 to 2010, according to the Health Tracking Household Study conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC), published in November 2011. In 2007, 57% of consumers sought health information, falling to 50% in 2010, HSC found. The chart illustrates where the big drop in health information [...]

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