| September 18, 2017
| 10:17 AM
In 2009, a group of forward-thinking companies working with the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health recognized the need for an event devoted to the fledgling field of “mHealth”’ Their intent was to convene a meeting to profile research on the use of mobile technologies in low- and middle-income countries to reach “the last mile of healthcare.” That first event attracted 750 people and the discussion was lively and the future was exciting – and uncharted.
In 2012, HIMSS acquired the mHealth Summit, at a time when there was a bit of a revolution – or revelation – in the use of technology to deliver quality care to people outside of a hospital or doctors office, improve outcomes and contain costs. Two years later, in response to the burgeoning market demands and growing opportunities to advance patient-centered digital health technologies, we established the Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHAlliance) at HIMSS.
Since, we've changed the name to the Connected Health Conference and merged the event with the well-respected Partners Connected Health Symposium. The coming together of the industry’s two most important events reflects the growth of the connected health market, with increased interest from major companies, investors, government agencies and consumers, as well as growing acceptance from healthcare providers.
Connected health has evolved dramatically since those early mHealth days, and incorporates more than we could have ever imagined. And, we are attracting a diverse and dynamic audience, including some of the largest and most respected organizations championing personal connected health. Companies in consumer tech, pharma and life sciences, research institutions and academic centers as well as healthcare providers are fully engaged and helping to drive the market. These forward-thinking companies and organizations are disrupting how we are delivering healthcare, managing disease, empowering individuals to live healthier and reimagining how we age.
Innovation is more than a buzzword; it is the foundation upon which we will build the future of technology-enabled health and wellness. This is clearly evident in the myriad opportunities and novel applications of technologies, such as digital therapeutics, artificial intelligence and voice-activated technologies; the use of big data, machine learning and analytics to help personalize connected health interventions; precision medicine, population health and chronic disease management, which are putting patients at the center of their care; and sensors, wearables and trackers, which are empowering individuals to better manage their health and wellness.
Healthcare providers, policy makers, investors and governments are taking note and taking action, seeking opportunities to integrate connected health solutions into our day-to-day lives. Major players in consumer goods, pharma and the life sciences are creating devices and services that will move the market, while providers and healthcare executives are now relying on connected health to improve efficiencies and outcomes, and reduce costs.
There is also a significant trend towards collaboration, with startups and health systems, major companies and innovative providers working together in order to achieve business and clinical innovation. Researchers and healthcare providers have recognized the need to and are working to design protocols and digital health pilots in order to validate technology and build the evidence base for the widespread adoption of personal connected health.
The connected health market has come a long way, building strong relationships and rapidly establishing its role in healthcare delivery and personal health and wellness. But, we are not done yet. It is an exciting time to be at the epicenter of this revolution. Looking at the field of connected health through the lens of the future, we can clearly see how trends and market dynamics today are shaping a new era in human health, across industries.
We invite you to join this revolution, realize the opportunities and, together, build the future of personal connected health.
Access more information about the 2017 Connected Health Conference here.
