The researchers reviewed data from over 160,000 participants who answered survey questions and completed app-based assessments to characterize their experience of tinnitus. The aim of this research is to improve understanding of tinnitus characteristics and inform future research on potential treatments.

Roughly 15 percent of our participants experience tinnitus daily,” said Rick Neitzel, the University of Michigan School of Public Health’s professor of environmental health sciences. “The trends that we’re learning through the Apple Hearing Study about people’s experience with tinnitus can help us better understand the groups most at risk, which can in turn help guide efforts to reduce the impacts associated with it.

The study found that 77.6 percent of participants have experienced tinnitus in their lives, with the prevalence of daily tinnitus increasing with age among many. Those ages 55 and up were 3x more likely to hear tinnitus daily compared to those 18-34 years old. Additionally, 2.7 percent more male participants reported experiencing daily tinnitus compared to females.

In terms of management, participants reported mainly trying three methods to ease their existing tinnitus: using noise machines (28 percent), listening to nature sounds (23.7 percent), and practicing meditation (12.2 percent). Less than 2.1 percent of participants chose cognitive and behavioral therapy to manage their tinnitus.

This study is a significant step towards advancing understanding of tinnitus, its potential causes, and the methods for managing tinnitus and their perceived effectiveness. The insights gained from this study will aid current scientific knowledge and ultimately improve the management of tinnitus.

SOURCE: apple.com

Personify Health clients will now have integrated access to WeightWatchers for Business’s full-spectrum weight health platform. This platform is customizable to support benefit coverage decisions and offers a flexible spectrum of care that can grow in intensity from behavioral to medical interventions.

“Obesity is a serious and costly yet common issue. Employers are well-positioned to play an important role in helping their employees manage their weight and improve their overall health, but they can’t go it alone,” said Jeffrey Jacques, MD, chief medical officer at Personify Health.

WeightWatchers for Business’s platform includes:

• WeightWatchers’ science-backed behavior-change programs for sustained outcomes.
• Weight-health behavioral programs tailored to those living with diabetes and those on GLP-1 medications.
• Access to virtual clinic care and medication management for those eligible.
• Robust virtual and real-life communities and coaching support at scale.
• Integrated health insights for real-time data access and analysis.

WeightWatchers for Business has been a B2B partner for more than 35 years, with experience spanning 500+ businesses across all industries. With its science-backed weight health care platform, WeightWatchers for Business supports all acuity levels, taking a weight health first approach and optimizing for those members living with overweight, obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in the fight against obesity and related health issues, providing employers with a comprehensive solution to support their employees’ weight health and overall wellbeing.

More details here

This latest investment brings Transcarent’s total funding to approximately $450 million, valuing the company at $2.2 billion. The funds will be used to accelerate AI capabilities, support commercial growth, and explore strategic growth opportunities.

Transcarent’s platform offers a comprehensive care experience, integrating medical, surgery, pharmacy, and mental health care into one place. It connects members to various care experiences, including everyday care, pharmacy care, surgery care, weight health, and end-to-end cancer care.

Transcarent CEO Glen Tullman expressed his excitement about the development, stating that Transcarent is the “One Place for Health and Care” and that the platform offers an experience people love. Ken Frazier, Executive Chairman at Transcarent, also highlighted the importance of this progress in improving the current system for employers and employees who demand a better, more affordable health and care experience.

The FDA has recognized the Apple Atrial Fibrillation History Feature, a non-intrusive method for assessing AFib load estimates, as a biomarker test now qualified for use as a secondary efficacy endpoint in clinical trials. AFib is an irregular heartbeat condition where the heart’s upper chambers fail to synchronize with the lower ones. It affects around 2% of people under the age of 65 and 9% of those who are older. 

Apple’s software uses artificial intelligence to regularly check heart rhythms for signs of AFib and provides an estimate of how often a patient’s heart is beating irregularly while wearing an Apple Watch.

The MDDT certification encompasses its application in research aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of cardiac ablation instruments utilized for AFib treatment. However, it could also apply to other studies where there is a need to provide an estimate of how long people have AFib over time.

In a 400,000-subject study of the Apple Watch’s ability to detect irregular heart rhythms that may signal AFib, it was found that 34% of individuals who received a notification of arrhythmia were later found to have AFib using an ECG, with a positive predictive value for the AI of 84%.

This advancement signifies a major leap in the application of wearable devices for health surveillance, and it holds the potential to preserve lives by enabling the early identification of cardiac disorders. The detection feature was approved by the FDA in 2022, and the history feature covered by the MDDT qualification is set to be released in the fall of 2022.

Salerno, Italy | Newel Health, a pioneer in digital therapeutics, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ervin Ukaj as its new Chief Executive Officer. A proven leader with an extensive digital health background, Ervin is well-positioned to drive Newel Health’s impact in the healthcare industry. Ervin’s impressive career includes founding startups acquired through successful mergers and acquisitions with entrepreneurial stint at Oppimi and strategic roles at Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Ervin will spearhead the commercialization of the company’s pioneering digital therapeutics portfolio. He also aims to expand Newel’s cardiovascular and neuroscience product pipelines through strategic partnerships leveraging the company’s H.Core framework for the rapid development and testing of novel digital therapeutic candidates.

As I step into the role of CEO at Newel Health, I’m driven by a deep sense of purpose, said Ervin Ukaj. ” Our journey in the digital therapeutic realm is about more than just navigating complexities; it’s about fostering understanding, collaboration, and innovation. Together, we’re on a mission to ensure that patients and providers alike recognize the incredible promise of digital therapeutics, backed by rigorous research and validation. We want to forge a future where healthcare isn’t just effective, but compassionate and tailored to each person’s unique needs.

“Ervin’s entrepreneurial experience combined with his field knowledge, make him ideally suited to usher Newel into this new chapter,” said Mauro Pretolani Senior Partner of the FITEC fund-Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR, an indirect investor in Newel Health. “Under his guidance, we expect that Newel will accelerate product adoption in this nascent industry.”

Ervin holds an executive MBA from Bologna Business School and an GMP from Harvard Business School.

For media inquiries or to connect with Ervin Ukaj, contact: media@newel.health

About Newel Health:
Newel Health is a pioneering company dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with health conditions and supporting the work of their healthcare providers by developing clinically validated digital medicines (DM) and digital therapeutics (DTx) solutions. The company partners with pharmaceutical, medical device, and wellness organizations to broaden its customer base and fulfill its vision for future healthcare. With a history of successful industry collaborations and a patient-centered approach, Newel Health consistently achieves positive outcomes.
The company actively develops new digital product ideas in neuroscience and cardiovascular health and aims to forge new partnerships to expand its DTx offerings. Additionally, Newel Health owns H.Core, a proprietary software framework that speeds up the design, validation, production, and launch of its DM and DTx solutions. Read more at: newel.health

Digital health has emerged as a critical component in reshaping healthcare systems across the 53 countries in the WHO European Region. The report highlights the various ways countries are leveraging digital health technologies, such as telehealth, mobile health, and Big Data, to enhance the delivery and accessibility of healthcare services.

The country profiles included in the report shed light on specific digital health initiatives implemented by member states. These profiles provide valuable information on the digital health components and strategies adopted at a national level. With the integration of digital health, countries are striving to improve healthcare outcomes, increase efficiency, and empower patients to manage their health.

The landscape of digital health varies across the region, with each country implementing its own approaches and solutions. Some countries have made significant progress in leveraging digital technologies to transform their healthcare systems, while others are still in the early stages of adoption. The report aims to showcase best practices and facilitate knowledge sharing among member states.

By exploring the digital health landscape, the WHO aims to support countries in their efforts to harness the potential of digital health. The integration of digital technologies has the potential to improve healthcare delivery, reduce costs, and enhance patient experiences throughout the European region. The report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders invested in digital health.

Please note that additional information and specific country-level details can be found in the full report.

This condition, often diagnosed in older patients with heart failure or aortic stenosis, has a notably poor prognosis if left untreated. However, early intervention with targeted therapy can substantially reduce mortality and hospitalizations related to cardiovascular issues.

The study, conducted by Clemens P. Spielvogel and colleagues, presents a novel multistep method for large-scale, opportunistic screening using bone scintigraphy imaging. The process begins with normalizing image counts, followed by employing deep learning techniques to crop images of the thorax. These cropped images are then used as inputs for a convolutional neural network (CNN), which classifies the images based on the presence of abnormal planar uptake.

The model’s predictive performance was outstanding, boasting an area under the curve (AUC) of 1.000 during internal cross-validation and maintaining consistent results across different cohorts and radiotracers with AUCs ranging from 0.925 to 1.000¹. The approach was further refined to address common sources of false positives and negatives, enhancing the positive predictive value from 0.886 to 0.932.

This AI model stands out not only for its large patient population but also for its rigorous external testing across multiple centers with diverse imaging protocols. Such external validation is crucial as it assesses the model’s performance in new populations and under varying conditions.

The ground truth for the study was established through a core laboratory approach involving triple reviews of each study and additional reviews for discrepancies. This meticulous validation process underscores the reliability of the findings and the potential of AI to revolutionize the early detection of ATTR-cardiac amyloidosis.

The research by Spielvogel and team marks a pivotal step in cardiac health, offering a generalizable and efficient solution for screening a disease that has historically been challenging to diagnose promptly. As AI continues to integrate into healthcare, it promises to bridge critical care gaps and enhance patient outcomes.

The festival will kick off with keynote addresses from both ministers, shedding light on the event’s central theme and its far-reaching goals. A panel discussion, led by Dr. Päivi Sillanaukee, Special Envoy for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland, will follow. The discussion, titled “Welcoming Act: Why Deploying Prevention and Precision at Scale?” promises to offer deep insights into the evolution of healthcare, focusing on the pivotal roles of prevention and precision medicine.

As a hub for health innovation, the Radical Health Festival Helsinki draws experts, policymakers, and health enthusiasts from all corners of Europe and beyond.

The event is a collaborative effort, with over 20 European entities contributing. Notable partners include the City of Helsinki, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Nightingale Health, and influential organizations such as CHIME, IANPHI, and EHTEL, all committed to making this year’s festival a success.

In a special feature for 2024, the festival will present an exclusive program for international ministerial delegations and select attendees, organized by the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

This program offers a unique opportunity to experience Finland’s leading-edge digital health initiatives through site visits and high-level discussions.

More on #RHFH24

CHICAGO and SALERNO, Italy, April 15, 2024 / — EVERSANA, a leading provider of global commercial services to the life sciences industry, today unveiled a new full-service affiliate in its EVERSANA INTOUCH global agency network, EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware.

Today’s announcement comes following the October 2023 acquisition of Healthware Group, an agency and innovation consultancy headquartered in Salerno, Italy. The new affiliate will operate from multiple offices across Italy, Finland, the United Kingdom and the United States, focused on innovation, transformation and client delight.

EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware joins five full-service affiliates and four specialty affiliates serving clients across the globe with world-class strategy, next-generation branding and creative, and innovative solutions to propel the future of life science marketing. Combined, the network helps pharmaceutical, medical device, and emerging biotech companies globally launch products, expand market access, and solve unique geographic and market-specific challenges.

Fulvio Fortini, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, will lead the affiliate, and Roberto Ascione, founder and CEO of Healthware, will now assume a larger role across EVERSANA as President, Health Innovation. Ascione will be responsible for driving health innovation solutions and connecting opportunities for clients across the globe, an ideal new role given his background as a pioneer in digital health.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the ongoing journey of our team, and the continued commitment to driving meaningful impact for our clients,” said Roberto Ascione, President, Health Innovation, EVERSANA. “In an era where brands are increasingly challenged to meet the diverse needs of patients globally, innovative strategies are paramount. We are excited to harness our expertise to deliver customized, technology-driven solutions that effectively tackle the unique challenges confronting our clients in this ever-evolving landscape.“

“More than ever, our clients need partners with global strategy and integrated commercial solutions to bring brands to life around the world,” said Jim Lang, CEO, EVERSANA. “Now, through the expanded full-service affiliate of EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware and coupled with Roberto’s new role driving greater innovation and transformation for clients, we’re positioned to deliver greater value to clients and their brands than ever before.”  

Healthware’s global events, media and publishing divisions – including the annual Frontiers Health conference and pharmaphorum, a premium source for healthcare and pharmaceutical industry news, insight and debate – will not experience any branding changes at this time. They are, however, fully owned and operated by EVERSANA.

About EVERSANA®
EVERSANA® is a leading independent provider of global services to the life sciences industry. The company’s integrated solutions are rooted in the patient experience and span all stages of the product life cycle to deliver long-term, sustainable value for patients, prescribers, channel partners and payers. The company serves more than 650 organizations, including innovative start-ups and established pharmaceutical companies, to advance life sciences solutions for a healthier world. To learn more about EVERSANA, visit eversana.com or connect through LinkedIn and X.

About EVERSANA INTOUCH
EVERSANA INTOUCH is a global, full-service marketing agency network serving the life sciences industry, and is the first – and only – agency network to be part of a fully integrated commercialization platform through EVERSANA®. EVERSANA INTOUCH provides marketing services – connected and powered by data-rich, digitally forward analytics – through its full-service and specialty affiliates: EVERSANA INTOUCH Solutions, EVERSANA INTOUCH Proto, EVERSANA INTOUCH Seven, EVERSANA INTOUCH Oxygen, EVERSANA INTOUCH Engage, EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware, EVERSANA INTOUCH Tech & Transformation, EVERSANA INTOUCH Media, EVERSANA INTOUCH MedComm and EVERSANA INTOUCH Market Access. To learn more, visit eversanaintouch.com or connect through Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACTS

EVERSANA
Matt Braun
Director, Corporate Communications
matt.braun@eversana.com

Antonietta Pannella
Director, Marketing & Communications
antonietta.pannella@eversana.com

SOURCE EVERSANA

Cedars-Sinai is expanding virtual healthcare for children and Spanish speakers in California through its mobile app Cedars-Sinai Connect, a fast-growing online option that allows patients to quickly access top healthcare professionals for acute, chronic and preventive care.

Parents of children 3 to 17 years old can now access Cedars-Sinai healthcare providers for urgent issues, including cough, cold, flu or rash.

• Parents can choose on-demand visits 24/7 or a scheduled visit 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends for their sick child.
• A child’s existing pediatrician is kept in the loop through the Cedars-Sinai electronic health record.

Spanish-speaking adults and parents of children 3 and older can now choose a Spanish-language app experience.

• Spanish-speaking healthcare providers are available for scheduled visits 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends.
• Translators can support patients seeking on-demand care 24/7 if a Spanish-speaking provider is not available.
• Spanish-speaking adults can access primary care in their preferred language to manage chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, depression and obesity.

“Cedars-Sinai Connect has already helped thousands of new and existing patients easily access the high-quality care for which Cedars-Sinai is known, from home,” said Jill Martin, executive vice president of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. “The platform is helping us extend that opportunity to even more people throughout California who are coming to Cedars-Sinai for convenient acute or chronic care. These patients also gain access to our broad network of specialists through referrals when appropriate.”

The virtual care option now gives children and Spanish-speaking patients convenient access to Cedars-Sinai expertise. Photo by K Health.

The new care options for children and Spanish speakers build on Cedars-Sinai Connect’s initial success. Since the platform launched in fall 2023, it has helped more than 8,000 patients from San Diego to Sacramento access Cedars-Sinai care through more than 10,500 virtual visits.

“Patients have come to rely on Cedars-Sinai Connect as a convenient way to access Cedars-Sinai expert care and a comprehensive primary care experience,” said Caroline Goldzweig, MD, chief medical officer of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. “Our unique hybrid model not only offers high-quality virtual care, but it is fully integrated into a top-tier academic health system, making it easier to coordinate care and share a patient’s health records with all of their providers.”

Cedars-Sinai Connect harnesses AI technology developed by K Health to reduce administrative burdens such as data entry, freeing doctors to focus more time on patient care. K Health helps patients manage their acute, chronic and preventive care needs through its platform that harnesses medical knowledge and real patient experiences.

“Cedars-Sinai Connect is one of the first integrated clinical care apps of its kind that is successfully using technology and care model innovation to address significant pain points—particularly access and quality—in healthcare in the U.S.,” said Ran Shaul, co-founder and chief product officer of K Health. “By combining K Health’s virtual care model with Cedars-Sinai’s high-quality clinical care, our partnership gives Cedars-Sinai greater digital capability while expanding access to expert care across California.”

Martin added that with pediatric care and Spanish-speaking doctors now available, “Cedars-Sinai Connect is furthering our collective goals of tying together in-person and virtual care, reducing wait times and addressing primary care needs for as many Californians as possible, helping Cedars-Sinai advance health equity.”