Addressing social health drivers could be big business for innovators
Equity and Access
Proximity to nutritious food. Safe and secure living environments. Transportation options. Exercise opportunities. Access to preventive care. These are the factors largely responsible for the quality of a person’s health, and the former CEO of Merck suggests that entrepreneurs can play an enormous role in improving such factors by collecting data, connecting healthcare to social services, raising health literacy, and expanding virtual care.
Source: StatNews
Avoiding bias in healthcare AI algorithms
Equity and Access
AI algorithms can determine who receives what kind of care—and bias in these algorithms can have catastrophic results on outcomes. To keep AI from amplifying existing social inequities, it’s important to understand the factors that influence algorithms and to ensure that diversity is built into every aspect of AI development.
Source: StatNews “Color Code” Series
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Telehealth could be key to solving transgender youth healthcare crisis
Equity and Access
With certain states banning gender-affirming care, there is a growing need for families to seek critical medical and mental health services elsewhere. This author argues that telehealth offers a vital solution for getting vital care to transgender and gender-fluid kids and teens, who—without the right support—are at a high risk for depression and suicide.
Source: Scientific American
Microparticles enable vaccines to be “self-boosting”
Equity and Access
Vaccination against many diseases—including polio and COVID-19—require multiple shots over time. But new technology being developed by MIT scientists could allow people to receive a complete course of a vaccine in one shot. Cup-like microparticles made of special polymers release their contents at separately timed intervals, so that one jab could provide full inoculation. In addition to increasing patient compliance, the technology could be useful for administering childhood vaccinations in underdeveloped countries that lack access to care.
Source: MIT News
Wearable ultrasound patch could expand access to medical imaging
Equity and Access
Academic researchers have developed a stamp-sized stick-on patch as an alternative to bulky hospital ultrasound machines. The device can take frequent images to capture changes for up to 48 hours. Engineers envision syncing the information with a mobile device, with the potential to help monitor patients in regions with limited access to hospitals.
Source: The Medical Device Business Journal