News

4 Big Trends in Connected Health

Published on: 22/09/2019

4 Big Trends in Connected Health

By John Sharp, Director, Thought Advisory, Personal Connected Health Alliance, a HIMSS Innovation Company

The connected health marketplace is awash with innovation. This flood of new ideas makes it difficult to identify the “New, New Thing” that will change healthcare. Instead we see a spectrum of solutions with many use cases addressing everything from wellness to chronic conditions. However, a few significant trends stand out:

1. Near Global Access to Mobile Phone Technology

In 2014, it was projected that the number of adults with cell phone in 2020 would be 80% globally. Its recently been reported that 96% have access to cell phones, far beyond expectations a few years ago. And it’s not just wealthy countries with citizens looking at their phones 200 times a day, but in some African countries where citizens use cell phones as a universal payment system. Soon to enhance the mobile phone’s capabilities is the deployment of 5G networks. This level of adoption has the potential for delivering health information and intervention on a massive scale.

LEARN MORE

2. Behavior Change

The digitalization of the successful Diabetes Prevention Program from the Center for Disease Control has led to growth in digital health companies creating effective behavior change apps supported by virtual coaching and wearables. The application of behavior science to these digital interventions proves itself through the development of real world evidence. Now these companies are moving into other chronic conditions to effect broader management of health conditions.

LEARN MORE

3. Digital Biomarkers

Due to the increased reliability of wearables and other IoT devices, the field of biomarkers has expanded from blood tests and clinical observation to digital exhaust from devices. The use of these devices is now enabling more effective and efficient research protocols. Also, ongoing monitoring of chronic conditions is becoming more pervasive with the potential to prevent hospital admissions and ER visits by predicting deterioration before it happens.

LEARN MORE

4. Expanded Use of Artificial Intelligence

 While AI and machine learning have been part of computer science for many years, their application to health and healthcare has just hit a fever pitch. Many scholars and research organizations are finding ways to apply AI to clinical decision support, predictive analytics and new treatments. The American Medical Association prefers the term Augmented Intelligence to emphasize how data analysis can assist in clinical decision-making. Others are raising red flags about the potential for harm or prejudice in the use of AI. Government agencies are working on how to regulate this new, fast-moving field. But overall, the applications of AI from improving/assisting radiology interpretation to predicting or diagnosing conditions has greater potential than ever.

LEARN MORE


Article Source: https://www.connectedhealthconf.org/boston/2019/news/4-big-trends-connected-health?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

NEWS​

Related News

HLTH Brought the Energy to Amsterdam. Now It’s Vegas’ Turn.

26 Jun 2025
Next up: HLTH USA, October 19–22 in Las Vegas.

From Abandonment to Belonging: Hands 4Life’s Vision for Generational Healing

26 Jun 2025
Hands 4Life is a nonprofit organization addressing the global aging crisis by empowering communities in economically developing nations—beginning with...

Strengthening Elderly Care Innovation Across Europe: ECHAlliance at the NOTRE Project Meeting in Lille

26 Jun 2025
ECHAlliance participated in the latest partner meeting of the NOTRE Project, hosted in Lille, France by our Hauts-de-France ecosystem led by Eurasanté...

Africa Health Business Co-founder Dr Amit Thakker Honoured with Top Civilian Award

26 Jun 2025
Dr. Amit N. Thakker, Co-founder of our partner Africa Health Business, receives one of the highest civilian awards from the President of Kenya.

Highlights from the Global Health Connector Partners Programme at HLTH Europe 2025

25 Jun 2025
Our Global Health Connector Partners Programme returned to HLTH Europe this June with an energising series of sessions, conversations and connections ...

That’s a Wrap from HIMSS Europe 2025!

24 Jun 2025
From Paris with purpose: Gnomon Informatics SA returned to HIMSS Europe for a third year of bold ideas, smart tech, and stronger-than-ever momentum in...

Become a member

Join ECHAlliance to amplify your organisation’s message, grow your networks, connect with innovators and collaborate globally.
 
First name *
Last Name *
Email Address *
Country *
Position *
First name *
Last Name *
Email Address *
Country *
Position *