I’ve written in the past about the need for specialist health care organizations (such as behavioral health organizations) to reposition themselves in an era of changing technology, science, and financing. There are many possible directions for repositioning – from primary care for individuals with chronic conditions; focused disease management programs for consumers with multiple chronic diseases and complex social support needs; and program to address unnecessary use of high-cost acute care interventions.

Now comes yet another study on the cost savings opportunities of prevention efforts in two areas – high blood pressure and diabetes. The study authors concluded that reducing the prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure by five percent would save the nation about $9 billion a year in the short term. In addition, conditions related to those health problems would also be reduced, which would increase the savings to about $24.7 billion a year in the medium term.

The study was conducted using 2003-2005 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.   Study results were released on-line on November 18, and are scheduled to be published in the January print issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

This is data that can be the foundation for designing (and marketing) prevention programs.   For more on the evolving wellness and prevention market, check out these recent articles by our team:

• Market Opportunity in Prevention Programs: Reform Creates New Market Niche for Prevention (available to premium OPEN MINDS Circle members)
• New Science Changing The 'Perceived Value' of Prevention & Early Intervention  (available to all OPEN MINDS Circle members)
• Mental Illness & Addiction Prevention & Treatment Critical to U.S. Health Reform (available to premium OPEN MINDS Circle members)
• UnitedHealth Group Launches Diabetes Prevention & Control Alliance With Partners Walgreens & YMCA of the USA (available to premium OPEN MINDS Circle members)
• J&J to Grow New Wellness & Prevention Business as Part of Consumer Division (available to premium OPEN MINDS Circle members)

So what gives? A new study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, “Patient Costs As a Barrier to Intensive Health Behavior Counseling” found that if there is a fee for participating in weight loss or smoking cessation programs, neither consumers or health care professionals are interested. When there are fees (of any type) for participating in the programs, health care professionals referred 97% fewer consumers; of those referred, 81% fewer consumers actually followed through and participated.

To me, this speaks to two issues. First, health care professionals don't believe in the value of prevention programs—or they’d refer more of their patients. This is bad news for programs in the disease management space. Second, consumers are not connecting their health status with their behaviors—and the long-term consequences (in quality of life, cost, mortality, etc.) of their behaviors. This is bad news for behavioral health provider organizations and professionals.

I'm not sure what the solution is to this dilemma. And, I'm not so sure that making all of these programs 'free' is the best policy choice. The research is pretty clear that without some financial participation (no matter how minimal), consumers have a lack of engagement in health services. But, helping to change perceptions of the value of prevention programs is the bigger issue.

August 24, 2009

I just finished reading the briefing by Center for Technology and Aging (click to view) about the seven technologies that will improve chronic health care and increase independence. They
list these seven technologies as:

1. Medication Optimization. Technologies designed to help manage medication information, dispensing, adherence, and tracking.
2. Remote Patient Monitoring. Technologies designed to manage and monitor a range of health conditions
3. Assistive Technologies. Devices and equipment that help individuals perform a task or prevent injury.
4. Remote Training & Supervision. Technologies used to train and supervise health and long-term care workers, and the potential for continuing education and quality assurance.
5. Disease Management. Patient-centric, coordinated care processes for patients with chronic conditions and conditions that have a significant self-care component.
6. Cognitive Fitness & Assessment. Technologies that measure cognition or include cognitive practice regimens.
7. Social Networking. Technologies that enable the building of communities of interest that help older adults communicate, organize, and share with other older adults and care providers.

How will these technologies affect the consumers you serve? This is a great question for your next strategic plan...

Check out some tech-related resources from the OPEN MINDS Circle Industry Library:

• Expand Cognitive Functioning Via New Technologies: Key Considerations for Trying These 'New Wave' Technologies in Your Current Model
• The Role of Remote Patient Monitoring in Reducing Insurance Costs
• The Treatment Technology Showcase: Disruptive Innovation in the Behavioral Health Field
• Behavioral Health Opportunities in Chronic Disease Management
• Home and Community-Based Services: Examining the Evidence Base for State Policymakers - Symposium Proceedings of the Symposium