VA’s Modernized Approach with Telehealth and Sensors
Since the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched the “Anywhere to Anywhere” initiative in May 2018, VA health care teams have been able to treat veterans regardless of their location-- which has contributed to a surge in telehealth adoption. In a recent announcement, the VA reported a 17% increase in telehealth visits from the previous fiscal year. More than 900,000 veterans adopted virtual care. With studies supporting telehealth’s ability to reach vets in rural areas, expand mental health care services, and improve clinical efficiency, the VA hopes to further telehealth’s reach. The agency is looking to expand the Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) program, which provides care for veterans who live long distances from VA medical centers or have poor internet connections. The program will now pilot at American Legion Posts, Veterans of Foreign War posts, and Walmart stores across America.
The VA is also turning to digital sensors to tackle the problem of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Currently, 15 VA Medical Center use Podimetrics, a smart sensor mat designed for a patient’s home. It analyzes foot temperature variations to predict/prevent the occurence of potential ulcers. The user stands on the mat for 20 seconds, then the data is analyzed and sent to the Podimetrics care team. The team examines and triages the data and works with the patient’s physician on preventative treatments and coaching. In a study led by the VA, Podimetrics detected 97% of developing ulcers on average 5 weeks before it would be clinically detected. With more than 75,000 vets suffering from DFU last year, the VA hopes the regional rollout of Podimetrics will help more diabetic vets.
Singapore’s AI Strategy: National Retina-based Screening
Singapore is counting on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to catalyze the nation’s economy and its citizens’ well-being. During the SFF X SWITCH (Singapore Fintech Festival and Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology) Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Heng Swee Keat, announced the country’s national AI strategy for five priority areas: transport/logistics, smart cities, health care, education, and safety/security.
For health, Singapore’s AI strategy will focus on chronic disease management and prevention. In three years, it hopes to launch Selena+, a system that analyzes retinal photographs across the nation for diabetes screening. By 2025, it aims to develop a retina-based risk score for high glucose, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol (3H) related cardiovascular disease. By 2030, the nation hopes to collaborate with industry partners to develop AI models for 3H.
Grow Your Senior Care Solution with GuideWell’s Scale Up Accelerator Program!
GuideWell is hosting an exciting eight week health and wellness technology accelerator program for innovators who have solutions that provide affordable, accessible health care or holistic solutions for diverse aging populations. With the number of Americans over 65 projected to hit 71 million by 2030, GuideWell is seeking solutions that address critical problems faced by America’s rapidly growing senior population.
GuideWell is particularly interested in solutions in the following areas:
Novel approaches to increase the affordability and accessibility of health care for seniors that are economically challenged, or that are cared for by a working family member
Easy-to-use solutions that enable seniors to improve overall physical and emotional wellness
Solutions that connect seniors into their communities
The program begins January 23rd, 2020 and will consist of a two-day kickoff boot camp, followed by weekly mentoring sessions and a series of virtual workshops that focus on challenges in the health care industry (e.g. customer acquisition, regulatory compliance, etc.). It will culminate in a curated Investor Matchmaking Showcase at GuideWell’s Innovation Center in Orlando, FL on March 9th, 2020, where companies will have the amazing opportunity to present their innovative technologies to investors.
If you have a solution that can empowers seniors across the nation, apply today! Applications close December 8th, 2019.
https://guidewellinnovation.com/guidewell-scale-up-accelerator