INSIGHTS
September 9, 2019

Digital health’s privacy predicament

Regulations that enable patients to summon medical records through consumer apps aim to usher in an era of choice and convenience. But not everyone sees eye to eye on the consequences. Some industry players are becoming more vocal about privacy concerns—“patient privacy can’t be retrieved once it’s lost”—while others argue the shift allows patients to push back on paternalism in medicine.

A similar tension looms in scientific research. On one side, access to vast health databases is restricted in the name of privacy and commercial integrity. On the other, the ruling philosophy is the wider research access, the more discoveries to benefit us all.

Headlines

Microbiome Startup uBiome Files For Bankruptcy
It hopes to find a buyer of its science and IP Business Insider | (Tweet)

2020 CPT Code Changes Will Let Docs Bill For Digital Health
A boon for virtual visits and remote patient monitoring FierceHealthcare | (Tweet)

Alphabet, iRhythm Team Up To Detect Atrial Fibrillation
Details are fuzzy, with hints of working with insurance companies CNBC | (Tweet)

Can Silicon Valley Help With “Happier Aging”?
We’re in a gold rush to mine the golden years The Guardian | (Tweet)

An AI-Designed Molecule Exhibits “Druglike” Qualities
But experts are calling on the AI hype machine to pump the brakes WIRED | (Tweet)

Epic Wants 20M Health Records For Medical Research
Nine healthcare systems are contributing data so far Health Data Management | (Tweet)

CVS Hires Fitbit Exec To Lead Consumer Health Efforts
The company’s consumer-centric transformation continues CNBC | (Tweet)

Planned Parenthood Rolls Out Virtual Care Tool In 27 States
The service targets rural, remote, and underserved patients MobiHealthNews | (Tweet)

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