Last week, leading voices from healthcare, technology, and policy congregated at 2024 HLTH to explore the future of healthcare. From AI’s transformative potential to the integration of oral health and the rise of personalized care, here are seven trends that we are watching:
1. AI is reshaping healthcare
Artificial Intelligence promises increased efficiency and improved patient outcomes. However, the journey to realizing AI’s full potential is just beginning.
Our world generates massive amounts of data—180 zettabytes globally—with a third being healthcare-related. While AI thrives off data abundance, there is a need for customization, reliability, and transparency in healthcare that the black-box nature of AI models currently can’t fulfill.
Despite barriers, AI-driven healthcare solutions are making headway. Companies like GE and NVIDIA are pioneering foundation models that integrate multi-modal data (text, images, video) to address complex health conditions. New AI tools are also streamlining operations, such as AI-powered scribes that reduce administrative burdens on clinicians.
2. The industry is shifting from one-size-fits-all to personalized care
As more people seek personalized and predictive care, the industry moves from one-size-fits-all treatments to targeted solutions.
AI’s integration into diagnostics is evolving, with platforms like GE’s CareIntellect leveraging multi-modal data to create comprehensive health profiles. These tools are crucial for oncology, where a single, integrated view of a patient’s condition can guide treatment decisions.
Self-managed personalized care is also on the rise, especially post-COVID, as people look for ways to manage their health from home. Early diagnostics, at-home screening tools, and personalized treatment plans aim to improve patient outcomes.
3. Plans are in place to address healthcare disparities
Access to healthcare remains uneven as “healthcare deserts,” areas lacking basic medical facilities, continue to disproportionately affect underserved communities nationwide.
Innovative solutions, like mobile care units and school-based dental programs, aim to bring essential services to those without regular healthcare access.
Efforts to include oral health and preventative care in broader health policies are also underway, making the economic argument for investment in preventive healthcare to lower long-term costs.
4. Our aging population will require new models of care
With predictions of a near 50% increase in the senior population in the U.S., our aging population is reshaping how healthcare is delivered. Seniors seek integrated care, and clinics are evolving to combine technology and personalized treatment to make the health journey more convenient, comprehensive, and engaging for patients.
Future clinics are envisioned as holistic centers combining physician and dental services. These facilities will focus on addressing chronic conditions that disproportionately affect seniors, like periodontal disease and diabetes, emphasizing prevention from the start.
5. Women’s health and reproductive care are drawing attention
The emphasis on advocacy for women’s health is apparent, with discussions about the lack of funding and research. There’s a strong push to bring legislative change to improve healthcare access and equity for women, ensuring that every woman has the right to comprehensive, respectful care. Dr. Jill Biden closed out the conference by addressing this need and announced a $110M ARPA-H funding award to push the industry to invest in women’s health.
Menopause received considerable attention. Halle Berry’s presentation and the relaunch of her brand, Respin, underscored a cultural shift in how menopause and aging are perceived, advocating for more research, better community support, and solutions that cater to mid-life women.
6. Oral health will play a greater part in overall wellness
Oral health, often considered separate from general healthcare, took center stage this year with the premiere of the Oral Health Pavilion, developed in partnership with CareQuest Institute (an Inkhouse client), Colgate, Henry Schein, and PDS Health, and numerous panels on the impact of medical-dental integration.
Speakers emphasized the connection between oral health and systemic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Yet, oral health remains underfunded and overlooked. A push to integrate oral health into standard healthcare practices aims to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
Education is pivotal for raising oral health awareness, especially among seniors. Bringing dental care into general medical practices, educating healthcare providers on oral examinations and increasing oral health literacy are crucial steps forward.
7. The industry is committed to a unified, patient-centric future
HLTH 2024 highlighted the ongoing transformation of healthcare from a fragmented, reactive system to one that is unified, patient-centric, and proactive. With AI-driven diagnostics, a renewed emphasis on preventative care, and the integration of oral health into mainstream medical practice, the future of healthcare looks more personalized and holistic than ever.
Achieving these goals will require collaboration across sectors, policy changes, and continued investment in technology and patient education. Our healthcare practice at Inkhouse diligently and actively monitors trends and healthcare news shifts, helping our clients stay engaged in important industry dialogue. Learn more about the work we do here.
