Selected Estimates Based On National Health Interview Survey, January To September 2018
Some results for the period January to September 2018 are: (1) the percentage of persons who had a usual place to go for medical care was 87.7%, which was lower than, but not significantly different from, the 2017 estimate of 88.3%; (2) the percentage of the population that failed to obtain needed medical care due to cost at some time during the past 12 months was 4.7%, which was not significantly different from the 2017 estimate of 4.5%; (3) the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults aged 20 and over was 31.7%, which was not significantly different from the 2017 estimate of 31.3%; (4) the percentage of persons who had excellent or very good health was 66.3%, which was not significantly different from the 2017 estimate of 66.4%; and (5) the percentage of adults aged 65 and over who needed help with personal care from other persons was 7.0%, which was not significantly different from the 2017 estimate of 6.7%.
Electronic Health Behaviors Among U.S. Adults With Chronic Disease
As reported on March 3, 2019 in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, a study explored (1) the differences in technology use; (2) Web-based health information seeking and use behaviors; (3) attitudes toward seeking health information on the Web; and (4) the level of eHealth literacy between adults aged 18 and 64 years with and without chronic disease. About one in three (37.2%) participants reported at least one chronic disease diagnosis. Seventy-five percent of all participants reported having ever searched for health information on the Web. Participants with a chronic disease reported significantly higher instances of visiting and talking to a health care provider based on health information found on the Web (40.0% vs 25.8% and 43.3% vs 27.9%). The uses of health information found on the Web also significantly differed between participants with and without chronic diseases in affecting a decision about how to treat an illness or condition (49.2% vs 35.0%), changing the way they cope with a chronic condition or manage pain.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Use Of Toilet Seats To Detect Chronic Heart Failure
A paper published on January 18, 2019 in JMIR mHealth and uHealth indicates that a toilet seat–based cardiovascular monitoring system with an integrated electrocardiogram, ballistocardiogram, and photoplethysmogram developed by a Rochester Institute of Technology team is capable of clinical-grade measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, stroke volume, and peripheral blood oxygenation. Toilet seat–based estimates of blood pressure and peripheral blood oxygenation were compared to a hospital-grade vital signs monitor. This system could be positioned uniquely to capture trend data in the home that previously has been unattainable. Demonstration of the clinical benefit of the technology requires additional algorithm development and future clinical trials. With one million new cases of congestive heart failure diagnosed each year, if the FDA eventually approves the product, it could make it easier for hospitals to monitor patients with this condition in the comfort of their own homes.
Medical And Health Data Wearable
OneLife Technologies Corp., a mobile medical software/data collection company, offers the first AT&T LTE-M certified medical wearable. The OnePulse smartwatch goes beyond tracking steps by providing activity trackers, reminders, and alert technologies. Powered by AT&T wireless connectivity, the advanced wearable securely and independently transmits certain critical medical and health data to the cloud, allowing clinicians, patients, and their caregivers to monitor user status and well-being. The AT&T LTE-M connection allows clinicians near real-time access to patient data in a highly secure environment, offering caregivers the ability to intervene when necessary. The OnePulse technology provides data at the wrist for heart rate, location, movement, and sleep. OneLife’s proprietary Bluetooth protocol also has the ability to connect easily to other health and medical devices, e.g., blood pressure cuff, glucometer, and a weight scale.
More Articles from TRENDS March 2019
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH NONADHERENCE
Suggests how factors affecting both caregivers and patients can result in nonadherence to treatment interventions. Read More
PRESIDENT’S CORNER—ASAHP MEMBER FOCUS
Curt Lox, Dean, Brooks College of Health Professions at the University of North Florida, is featured in this issue of TRENDS. Read More
FEDERAL BUDGET RELEASE AND PROPOSED LEGISLATION
The Trump Administration released its proposed federal budget for FY 2020 and legislation is introduced in Congress involving higher education. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Discusses: the introduction of the Medicare For All Act Of 2019; an effort to repeal the ACA medical device tax; a bipartisan initiative to reduce health care cost growth; and a bill to prevent health care fraud. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Describes: Senate and House hearings on reauthorizing the Higher Education Act (HEA), a proposal from the White House to reform the HEA, negotiated rulemaking by the U.S. Department of Education, and a judicial ruling on final regulations pertaining to borrower defense to repayment regulations. Read More
AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
Emerging Technologies To Support An Aging Population
School Success: An Opportunity For Population Health
CARE Act Implementation: Progress And Promise Read More
IMPACT OF MARIJUANA LAWS ON HEALTH AND LABOR SUPPLY
Provides information about the effects of state medical marijuana laws on the health and labor supply of adults age 51 and older, with a focus on individuals with medical conditions that may respond positively to treatment involving marijuana. Read More
GLOBAL SYNDEMIC OF OBESITY, UNDERNUTRITION, AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Refers to a proposed rationale for international-level policy interventions that have the potential to mitigate harmful health consequences associated with these three problems. Read More