In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the HLTH 2023 conference in Las Vegas emerged as a pivotal platform for discussing innovations, challenges, and future directions. As a CEO of a health tech startup, I had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and technologists, gaining invaluable insights. Here’s a deeper dive into the key takeaways from the conference:
Addressing Clinician Shortage with AI
The healthcare industry is grappling with a significant clinician shortage and burnout. AI stands as a promising solution to augment healthcare delivery, offering a ‘peanut butter approach’ – a broad application to various problems. The challenge lies in refining AI technology for consistent predictions and navigating FDA pathways for optimal integration into healthcare systems.
Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
A central theme at HLTH 2023 was health equity. Increasing awareness among health leaders and entrepreneurs is leading to innovative solutions addressing SDOH, ensuring equitable healthcare access and quality across diverse populations.
The Focus on Mental Health
Mental health, a long-standing concern, is now being addressed more specifically. The discussions at the conference highlighted the importance of well-being across different demographics, including children, teens, and seniors, with a particular emphasis on issues like suicide prevention.
Disease-Specific Focus
Beyond mental health, HLTH 2023 spotlighted diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and gut health. This holistic approach underlines the need for diversified healthcare strategies that address various aspects of physical health.
Population-Specific Health Offerings
The conference underscored the importance of tailored healthcare solutions, like specialized offerings in men’s and women’s health. This approach recognizes the unique health needs of different population segments.
The Challenge of Timeframes in Healthcare Innovation
A critical challenge highlighted was the expectation of quick results from healthcare innovation, often within 6 months to a year. This time pressure is a significant hurdle for funders and innovators in the health tech space.
Value-Based Care (VBC) and Health at Home
VBC was a key topic, focusing on creating, administering, and managing healthcare bundles. Innovations like ‘health at home’ models, including hospital at home services, home-based primary care, and support for family caregivers, are gaining traction.
Support for Founders and Entrepreneurs
The healthcare system presents an uphill battle for many entrepreneurs. Fortunately, the conference highlighted the growing ecosystem of support for startups, including big tech collaborations and health system accelerators, which is a positive sign for the industry.
The Need for Systemic Change
Finally, a critical insight was the need for systemic change and innovation in healthcare. Moving away from siloed solutions and towards collaborative, integrated approaches could be more effective in creating sustainable health ecosystems.
To summarize, HLTH 2023 was a testament to the dynamic nature of the healthcare industry. As we move forward, the insights gained from this conference will be pivotal in shaping a more resilient, equitable, and innovative healthcare landscape. The journey ahead is challenging, yet filled with opportunities for transformative change.
About the author
With almost two decades of experience as a technology executive, I’m currently leveraging technology to improve the healthcare ecosystem from payors to patients with Illuminate Health. Our team is tackling the $528 Billion cost of US patient drug non-adherence by taking this complex issue and translating it into an executable, tactical solution that’s improving patient outcomes one dose at a time.
Varun Goyal – CEO and Co-Founder, Illuminate Health