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- Expanding Monitored Health Data
Upon entering this new era of healthcare, the focus of medicine is shifting to prevention, away from the detection and treatment of infectious diseases, which has dominated medical practice for the past 300 years. Now the emphasis is on tracking and recording the status of biomarkers that point to the development of metabolic issues play a huge role in virtually all chronic diseases.
As reliance on Functional Medicine continues to increase with our expanded understanding of human physiology, methods to evaluate and predict health status will become essential. Perhaps, more importantly, services and procedures that make this possible will be increasingly covered by private and government insurance programs.
When healthcare moves in this direction, it may initially seem atypical, but the long-term impact is predictable: overall healthcare costs will significantly decline. This reduction stems directly from the prevention of disease occurrence and progression. Ultimately, it all comes down to economics—focusing on prevention will undoubtedly lower the expenses associated with corrective procedures over time.
Currently, we allocate over $5 trillion—roughly 20% of our GDP—toward just three major disease categories. Allow me to share an estimate of the potential reduction in prevalence of these diseases:
Neurological Disorders:
The global cost of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke, is estimated at $1 trillion annually.
Type II Diabetes:
Diabetes costs globally are approximately $966 billion annually (as of 2021), with type II diabetes accounting for over 90% of cases.
Cardiovascular Disease:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and costs $1 trillion annually in direct and indirect expenses.
Reducing major risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking through preventive care could save $200–$300 billion annually in the U.S. alone.
Combined Impact:
The predicted reduction in prevalence and treatment costs across these three sectors would result in annual savings exceeding $2 trillion—a 40% reduction—driven by:
Reduced direct medical costs (hospitalizations, surgeries, medications).
Lower indirect costs (lost productivity, caregiving expenses).
Long-term health improvements, lowering other associated risks.
Methodologies that Will Enable the Next Generation of Healthcare
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
RPM technologies are becoming more prevalent, enabling healthcare providers to monitor patients outside traditional clinical settings. This approach enhances patient independence, prevents complications, and reduces healthcare delivery costs. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of RPM, and its use is expected to continue growing, offering benefits like improved patient compliance and better management of chronic conditions.
Remote Patient Monitering Architecture
Recent advances in remote patient monitoring include the widespread use of wearable sensors with enhanced capabilities, improved patient engagement through accessible data, the integration of AI for data analysis, the development of implantable devices like loop recorders, and the growing adoption of telehealth platforms, especially spurred by the pandemic, allowing for more comprehensive real-time monitoring of patient health from home.
Advanced wearables in healthcare include blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, ECG monitors, fitness trackers, and smartwatches. These devices can help people manage their health by tracking vital signs and physical activity. They can also help healthcare providers monitor patients remotely.
Super-Smart Watch
Advanced Wearables:
Wearable devices like fitness trackers are becoming more sophisticated with better sensors to monitor various vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and activity levels, providing more comprehensive data to healthcare providers.
Possible Exceptions
New Devices on the Horizon
Inherent Issues
Patient Engagement:
By giving patients access to their real-time health data through wearable devices and user-friendly platforms, they are encouraged to actively participate in managing their health conditions.
Implantable Devices:
Devices like implantable loop recorders can continuously monitor heart rhythms, particularly beneficial for patients with irregular heartbeats or intermittent symptoms.
AI-Powered Data Analysis:
Artificial intelligence is being used to analyze large volumes of remote patient monitoring data, allowing for faster and more accurate insights into patient health trends.
Telehealth Integration:
The rise of telehealth platforms has facilitated the delivery of remote healthcare services, enabling virtual consultations and remote monitoring of patient data.
Examples of specific remote patient monitoring devices:
Glucose meters: For diabetic patients to track blood sugar levels at home
Pulse oximeters: To monitor oxygen saturation levels
Blood pressure monitors: To track blood pressure readings
Smart scales: To closely monitor weight
Continuous Glucose Monitor
Benefits of these advancements:
Improved patient outcomes:
Early detection of health issues through continuous monitoring can lead to timely interventions and better treatment plans.
Reduced healthcare costs:
Fewer unnecessary hospital visits and emergency room trips due to proactive monitoring
Enhanced patient autonomy:
Patients can actively manage their health by monitoring their vital signs at home
Challenges to consider:
Data security and privacy: Protecting sensitive patient data from breaches is crucial
Patient compliance: Ensuring patients consistently use monitoring devices and report data accurately
Access to technology: Addressing disparities in technology access for different populations
Examples of advanced wearables
Blood pressure monitors: Can help screen for high blood pressure
Glucose/Ketone monitors: Can help with diabetes and weight management
ECG monitors: Can help detect irregular heart rhythms
Fitness trackers: Can track steps, calories burned, and sleep
Smartwatches: Can track vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure
Benefits of advanced wearables
Improved fitness: Wearables can encourage physical activity
Disease management: Wearables can help manage disease by tracking vital signs
Remote patient monitoring: Wearables can help healthcare providers monitor patients remotely
Informed lifestyle decisions: Wearables can help people make informed decisions about their lifestyle and medical care
Some wearables are prescribed by a physician and may offer more specific features or direct data transmission to healthcare workers.
While the information above may seem overwhelming, it obscures a crucial point: the most significant factor in health—diet's effect on chronic disease—is often overlooked. Many recognize the problems linked to high blood glucose, obesity, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular issues.
What is less understood, however, is the root cause connecting these issues: metabolic dysfunction driven by poor dietary habits. These conditions are not isolated problems but symptoms of a larger issue—Insulin Resistance—about which the general public remains largely uninformed.
The emergence of advanced biomarker measurements, combined with artificial intelligence and functional medicine, offers a transformative opportunity. These tools allow healthcare practitioners to see the "Big Picture," enabling them to understand how dietary changes directly influence human physiology and to implement prevention-focused strategies more effectively.
Additional Advantages for Patients
Patient Engagement
By giving patients access to their real-time health data through wearable devices and user-friendly platforms, they are encouraged to actively participate in managing their health conditions.
Patient engagement in healthcare offers numerous advantages including improved health outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, better treatment adherence, stronger patient-provider relationships, reduced healthcare costs, and the ability to gather valuable patient feedback to inform care delivery, ultimately leading to a more patient-centered approach to healthcare.
Key benefits of patient engagement:
Better health outcomes:
Engaged patients are more likely to follow treatment plans, attend preventive screenings, and actively manage chronic conditions, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced complications.
Increased patient satisfaction:
When patients feel involved in their care and have a voice in decision-making, they tend to be more satisfied with their healthcare experience.
Enhanced treatment adherence:
Active participation in care encourages patients to adhere to medication regimens and lifestyle changes, maximizing the effectiveness of treatment plans.
Stronger patient-provider relationships:
Open communication and shared decision-making foster trust and a stronger bond between patients and healthcare providers.
Cost reduction:
By preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions and optimizing resource utilization, patient engagement can contribute to lower healthcare costs.
Improved quality of care:
Patient feedback through engagement initiatives can help identify areas for improvement in care delivery, leading to better quality standards.
Empowerment and self-management:
Engaging patients in their care empowers them to take responsibility for their health and actively manage their conditions.
Personalized care:
By understanding patients' needs and preferences through engagement, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to individual patients.
Early detection of issues:
Active patient participation can enable early identification of potential health concerns, allowing for timely intervention.
Positive impact on research:
Patient engagement in research studies can provide valuable insights into real-world patient experiences and inform future treatment development.
Summary of This Segment
I am confident that you find this extremely granular accounting of the advantages of patient engagement impressive, however, I don’t want these details to obscure the more important aspect of this movement. While the focus of this area primarily addresses the technology involved, the more important benefit is the education and awareness it provides, which is the key to ultimate success.
In order to achieve maximum benefit, the population must take responsibility for their own health, rather than relying on guidance from third parties—this may even include their doctors! At present, the vast majority of society remains largely unaware of the latest discoveries regarding human physiology and the effects of diet and physical inactivity. This information is often challenging to understand, as it stems from new concepts. Consequently, it can take years or even decades to correct the mistakes and misconceptions propagated by mainstream science.
New Implantable Medical Devices
Medical implants are devices or tissues that are placed inside or on the surface of the body. They can deliver medication, monitor body functions, or provide support to organs and tissues.
Edwards Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement system: A new medical device for replacing the tricuspid valve
BioPrax: A minimally invasive device that prevents biofilm infections on prosthetic knee implants
Other medical devices that are expected to be launched soon:
The links above provide detailed information on the state-of-the-art developments. Admittedly, these direct links may not be for everyone due to their highly technical nature. However, if you are familiar or involved in the healthcare sector, or curious about the latest developments that will be incorporated into our healthcare system, you will find this information enlightening… And they make a wonderful addition to discussions of little-known technologies.
Some other medical technologies to watch for in 2025 include: Pulsed field ablation devices, Diabetes care devices, Neurostimulation devices, and Renal denervation.
The medical device market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The healthcare sectors that are expected to be most affected by this growth include cardiovascular and orthopedic.
Update
As of February 2025, the United States faces several emerging health threats, with the H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) being particularly concerning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 66 human cases of bird flu in 2024, including the first severe infection in the U.S., resulting in a death in Louisiana. The virus has also spread to various mammals, such as cows, raising concerns about potential human-to-human transmission. Experts have criticized the U.S. response as slow and fragmented, emphasizing the need for coordinated and decisive action to prevent a potential pandemic.
Compounding the situation, on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). Health experts warn that this decision could hinder the U.S. from accessing vital data on emerging diseases like bird flu, potentially delaying vaccine development and weakening the nation's ability to respond effectively to global health threats.
Additionally, significant layoffs in U.S. public health agencies, including reductions at the CDC, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have raised concerns about America's readiness for future outbreaks. While the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), known for tackling major outbreaks, has been temporarily spared, its future remains uncertain amid potential further cuts.
In summary, the convergence of the escalating bird flu threat, withdrawal from the WHO, and reductions in public health infrastructure collectively represent a significant and complex new threat to health in the United States.
Visit Original Newsletter: https://the-human-condition.beehiiv.com/p/zoonotic-diseases
Until next time, take care and stay POSITIVE…Dr. G
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