The use of technology to improve the health, wellness and quality of healthcare for Americans is something the Alliance for Digital Equality is keenly interested in. Broadband is among the rare technologies that can fundamentally transform the way people live. Today the click of the mouse can provide better health care for communities and individuals.
A new study by economist Robert Litan on telemedicine finds we can cut almost $200 billion from America's health care bill by expanding the use of remote monitoring. In Vital Signs Via Broadband: Remote Health Monitoring Transmits Savings, Enhances Lives, Litan notes how remote monitoring can benefit patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and congestive heart failure by alerting medical personnel of problems sooner. The result can not only reduce hospitalizations and save money, but also enhance the quality of life for these patients.
Just imagine – a patient has been newly diagnosed with diabetes. It’s a complex disease that is difficult to control. Most patients follow a regimen combining prescription drugs and lifestyle changes. Extreme lows or highs of blood glucose can be dangerous. But remote monitoring can help medical professionals track this patient's vital signs to ensure he or she is within correct parameters. And medical professionals can intervene if the situation requires attention.
These programs depend on broadband networks to connect patients with medical professionals, and Litan calls for policies that encourage the investment in such high-speed Internet networks. Because patients' lives may depend on consistent, high-quality monitoring, policies must allow for "smart networks" that ensure doctors can treat patients without interruption.
The Alliance couldn't agree more. In healthcare, broadband can provide tools that can spot health problems sooner, reduce hospitalizations, improve life quality, and save money. Policies that allow broadband access to develop and enhance our lives will go a long way in serving the needs of all our communities.
Person Robert Litan
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