Chronic Care by E-Health
CHRONIC CARE BY E-HEALTH INTRODUCTION (IDENTIFICATION OF THE MARKET)
Chronic diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and asthma are among the most costly, deadly and debilitating medical conditions faced by Americans. Nearly one in two American adults have at least one chronic disease and more than 75 percent of the nation’s total medical care costs are spent on chronic diseases. The burden of chronic diseases often falls on the safety-net and underserved populations. The rise of chronic disease is one of the nation’s most pressing and expensive health care concerns. Tens of millions of Americans suffer from chronic conditions, resulting in billions of dollars in health care spending and significant morbidity and mortality despite the financial and human toll, many of these diseases can be effectively managed with the use of Technology. Also, confronted with shrinking budgets and growing costs, the U.S. health care system is under pressure to create value-based health care. Innovative health care technologies play a critical role in the quest for value; they offer the potential to lower costs while enhancing clinical outcomes, all the while expanding the reach of care to at-risk populations. Despite their potential, high-value technologies are under-used, held back by systemic barriers that hinder technology adoption and innovation. This paper seeks to address that missed opportunity and identify technologies with both clinical and financial benefits. Each of the profiled technologies has the potential to improve quality, reduce costs and positively impact the health of chronic disease patients, especially those from safety-net and at-risk populations. The paper also identities cross-cutting lessons learned about the role of technology in creating value and an overview of some of the barriers that hold back their adoption. The safety-net delivery system is underfunded, understaffed and often lacks the financial resources, human resources and
Chronic diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and asthma are among the most costly, deadly and debilitating medical conditions faced by Americans. Nearly one in two American adults have at least one chronic disease and more than 75 percent of the nation’s total medical care costs are spent on chronic diseases. The burden of chronic diseases often falls on the safety-net and underserved populations. The rise of chronic disease is one of the nation’s most pressing and expensive health care concerns. Tens of millions of Americans suffer from chronic conditions, resulting in billions of dollars in health care spending and significant morbidity and mortality despite the financial and human toll, many of these diseases can be effectively managed with the use of Technology. Also, confronted with shrinking budgets and growing costs, the U.S. health care system is under pressure to create value-based health care. Innovative health care technologies play a critical role in the quest for value; they offer the potential to lower costs while enhancing clinical outcomes, all the while expanding the reach of care to at-risk populations. Despite their potential, high-value technologies are under-used, held back by systemic barriers that hinder technology adoption and innovation. This paper seeks to address that missed opportunity and identify technologies with both clinical and financial benefits. Each of the profiled technologies has the potential to improve quality, reduce costs and positively impact the health of chronic disease patients, especially those from safety-net and at-risk populations. The paper also identities cross-cutting lessons learned about the role of technology in creating value and an overview of some of the barriers that hold back their adoption. The safety-net delivery system is underfunded, understaffed and often lacks the financial resources, human resources and