Technology can play an important role in addressing this issue through digital health initiatives for chronic disease management programs.
Chronic diseases account for the greatest share of early death and disability worldwide.
It is often wrongly believed that chronic conditions are common in two sects of society – the rich & the elderly. The truth is, both rich and poor are likely to develop these diseases, and, according to a report by WHO, almost half of chronic disease deaths occur prematurely, in people under 70 years of age. This puts a substantial share of the chronic disease burden on the shoulders of working-age populations and particularly in developing countries. Therefore, the total foregone national income (estimated income loss), as a result of the impact of heart diseases, stroke and diabetes on labour supplies and savings was estimated at approx US $54 billion in 2015. There exists much evidence to suggest that chronic diseases and related risk factors adversely affect not only individuals and households, but also the economy at large, through changes in consumption and saving decisions, labour market performance and human-capital accumulation.
What has caused this surge in chronic illnesses? There are many underlying causes, such as an increasing ageing population, high calorie consumption and a drop in physical activity due to sedentary lifestyles that have seen the rise of chronic lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes or even cancer. However, what is lesser known is how little it actually takes to arrest its growth in our society.
Take for example, the rapidly rising emergence of Type-2 diabetes mellitus which has earned India the label of the ‘diabetes capital’ of the world. Diabetes is an important risk factor for CVD which in turn, is a major cause of death and disability in persons with diabetes. The ailment currently accounts for almost a million deaths annually. But how does one stop this silent deadly disease. The answer lies not only in medicine, but in the prudent use of technology to deliver the knowledge that science has gathered to the ordinary citizen.
Role of technology
The lack of a master plan in the health sector for preventive health is responsible for the poor state of health in the country. Technology can play an important role in addressing this issue through digital health initiatives for chronic disease management programs. Health IT can enable opportunities for remote patient management, patient education, and provide information-sharing for patients with chronic conditions. Here are some ways in which technology acts as an enabler in controlling chronic diseases:
* • Increases compliance: Many people increasingly use smartphone apps to manage their daily activities, interact with the outside world, and get news, information, and alerts. Smartphone apps provide a way for patients to consolidate pertinent health information and to manage their health. Because many patients carry their smartphones with them, they can easily access the information. Moreover, fitness apps monitor heart rate, count steps, and track movement and calories burned, encouraging wearers to keep moving.
* • Aids Personalized Treatments: Remote monitoring allows physicians to keep tabs on patients who need to be checked on more frequently than visits allow or are desirable. Technology such as bluetooth scales, interactive voice response can be used to follow up with patients who have recently been discharged from the hospital or a healthcare facility. Consequently, they can allow for a more rapid response to potential problems such as an episode of congestive heart failure or blood sugar variation.
* • Increases record portability: Patient portals engage patients and increase record portability. They allow patients to see health information in a streamlined fashion, through a secure website. When patients and doctors are synced on one digital platform, it aids better scrutiny of the patient’s health, by way of collated medical history. This also contributes to better organizational efficiency on part of the medical staff, while providing transparency to the patients.
* • Encourage Incentivized Insurance plans: As the principal bearers of health risks and costs, both governmental agencies and private insurers, have an interest in helping consumers adopt healthier lifestyles, and in promoting more value-conscious health care consumption. By encouraging their members to make better choices, they can prevent or control many chronic diseases, ensure that health care resources are used more wisely. Consequently, a growing number of insurers can make consumer engagement a priority, employing strategies that educate consumers about health and preventive care, encourage them to be more proactive in making choices about health services, and create incentives for behavioural change.
Data from numerous studies focused on the long-term management of diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, have shown that when patients are engaged and actively participating in their care, outcomes improve. New devices and tools that incorporate the technology and power of the now ubiquitous smartphone have the potential to become an extension of a patient’s health care provider and may ultimately change the way in which patients interact with the medical system in the future.
Chronic diseases account for the greatest share of early death and disability worldwide.
It is often wrongly believed that chronic conditions are common in two sects of society – the rich & the elderly. The truth is, both rich and poor are likely to develop these diseases, and, according to a report by WHO, almost half of chronic disease deaths occur prematurely, in people under 70 years of age. This puts a substantial share of the chronic disease burden on the shoulders of working-age populations and particularly in developing countries. Therefore, the total foregone national income (estimated income loss), as a result of the impact of heart diseases, stroke and diabetes on labour supplies and savings was estimated at approx US $54 billion in 2015. There exists much evidence to suggest that chronic diseases and related risk factors adversely affect not only individuals and households, but also the economy at large, through changes in consumption and saving decisions, labour market performance and human-capital accumulation.
What has caused this surge in chronic illnesses? There are many underlying causes, such as an increasing ageing population, high calorie consumption and a drop in physical activity due to sedentary lifestyles that have seen the rise of chronic lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes or even cancer. However, what is lesser known is how little it actually takes to arrest its growth in our society.
Take for example, the rapidly rising emergence of Type-2 diabetes mellitus which has earned India the label of the ‘diabetes capital’ of the world. Diabetes is an important risk factor for CVD which in turn, is a major cause of death and disability in persons with diabetes. The ailment currently accounts for almost a million deaths annually. But how does one stop this silent deadly disease. The answer lies not only in medicine, but in the prudent use of technology to deliver the knowledge that science has gathered to the ordinary citizen.
Role of technology
The lack of a master plan in the health sector for preventive health is responsible for the poor state of health in the country. Technology can play an important role in addressing this issue through digital health initiatives for chronic disease management programs. Health IT can enable opportunities for remote patient management, patient education, and provide information-sharing for patients with chronic conditions. Here are some ways in which technology acts as an enabler in controlling chronic diseases:
* • Increases compliance: Many people increasingly use smartphone apps to manage their daily activities, interact with the outside world, and get news, information, and alerts. Smartphone apps provide a way for patients to consolidate pertinent health information and to manage their health. Because many patients carry their smartphones with them, they can easily access the information. Moreover, fitness apps monitor heart rate, count steps, and track movement and calories burned, encouraging wearers to keep moving.
* • Aids Personalized Treatments: Remote monitoring allows physicians to keep tabs on patients who need to be checked on more frequently than visits allow or are desirable. Technology such as bluetooth scales, interactive voice response can be used to follow up with patients who have recently been discharged from the hospital or a healthcare facility. Consequently, they can allow for a more rapid response to potential problems such as an episode of congestive heart failure or blood sugar variation.
* • Increases record portability: Patient portals engage patients and increase record portability. They allow patients to see health information in a streamlined fashion, through a secure website. When patients and doctors are synced on one digital platform, it aids better scrutiny of the patient’s health, by way of collated medical history. This also contributes to better organizational efficiency on part of the medical staff, while providing transparency to the patients.
* • Encourage Incentivized Insurance plans: As the principal bearers of health risks and costs, both governmental agencies and private insurers, have an interest in helping consumers adopt healthier lifestyles, and in promoting more value-conscious health care consumption. By encouraging their members to make better choices, they can prevent or control many chronic diseases, ensure that health care resources are used more wisely. Consequently, a growing number of insurers can make consumer engagement a priority, employing strategies that educate consumers about health and preventive care, encourage them to be more proactive in making choices about health services, and create incentives for behavioural change.
Data from numerous studies focused on the long-term management of diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, have shown that when patients are engaged and actively participating in their care, outcomes improve. New devices and tools that incorporate the technology and power of the now ubiquitous smartphone have the potential to become an extension of a patient’s health care provider and may ultimately change the way in which patients interact with the medical system in the future.