http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/technology/internet/12flu.html?_r=2&oref=login&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
The tracker: http://www.google.org/flutrends/
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Google Uses Searches to Track Flu’s Spread.
Privacy issues?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/technology/internet/12flu.html?_r=2&oref=login&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/technology/internet/12flu.html?_r=2&oref=login&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Panel Advocates Improved Understanding Of Hepatitis B And Screening Of High-risk Populations
NIH/National Institutes of Health, Office of Disease Prevention (2008, October 23). Panel Advocates Improved Understanding Of Hepatitis B And Screening Of High-risk Populations. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/10/081023120224.htm
WellPoint, X Prize launch $10M health care contest
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3afrXJcGRqbZmupK8WYfiQHzvtQD93QT0BG0
WellPoint, X Prize launch $10M health care contest
By TOM MURPHY – 2 days ago
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — It may not involve rocket science, but a new X Prize
Foundation competition for health care reform could pose the institute's
most daunting challenge yet.
The California-based foundation, which helped launch the first private
manned space flight in 2004, is teaming with the insurer WellPoint Inc. to
try to fix the U.S. health care system.
The companies have announced an open competition to devise solutions that
improve health care cost and quality, and they're dangling a prize of at
least $10 million for the winner.
"Reinventing and rebooting the U.S. health care system is not to be taken
lightly," said X-Prize Chief Executive Dr. Peter Diamandis. "Its an
audacious task but, we think, very achievable."
X Prize has thrown down several big challenges in recent years. Aside from
a contest that led to the space flight, the foundation also has offered $10
million for teams that can produce cars that get 100 miles per gallon or
more and $30 million for sending a robot to the moon.
The nonprofit foundation decided to tackle health care after looking at
some of the world's biggest problems that need what Diamandis described as
a revolutionary and fundamental breakthrough.
"Health care is by far at the top of the list," he said.
Contest details will be worked out by early next year. But essentially the
competition will look for ways to "dramatically improve" cost and quality,
said Brad Fluegel, a WellPoint executive vice president.
WellPoint and X Prize officials note that U.S. health care spending is
projected to reach $4.2 trillion by 2016, or 20 percent of the country's
gross domestic product. Such spending in other developed countries makes up
11 percent of the GDP or less.
The contest organizers are thinking big picture. Fluegel said they will
look for a system of solutions instead of one or two improvements.
Potential solutions might involve ways to streamline insurance
reimbursement or the medical claims process that reduce administrative
costs. They also might include solutions that help patients better manage
chronic conditions like diabetes.
WellPoint will then test the finalist ideas in its state markets. A prize
will be awarded only if the solutions prove effective.
"We don't provide a prize for ideas, we don't provide a prize for concepts,
Diamandis said. "We only pay out a prize when the objectives are met."
Diamandis said the contest will probably take several years to play out.
WellPoint and X Prize are asking for help from employers, consumers, health
care providers and the government to devise competition guidelines.
X Prize will run the contest, with WellPoint and its nonprofit foundation
supplying the prize money.
Health care reform needs collaboration like this, said Robert Zirkelbach of
the trade association America's Health Insurance Plans.
"I think to be able to address all the health care challenges facing the
nation, we need to bring all the stakeholders together," he said.
However, the competition smells like a public-relations move to Jerry
Flanagan, health care policy director for California-based Consumer
Watchdog.
"What the insurance companies are trying to do is define the health care
debate in terms that benefit them or at least keep them in the game," he
said.
X Prize never would have gotten involved if the contest was a pr push,
Diamandis said. WellPoint will provide the funding and some advice, but X
Prize will set up the contest, run it and judge winners.
"This is an open-source opportunity for brand new constructs on how to
reinvent the health care system," he said.
WellPoint, X Prize launch $10M health care contest
By TOM MURPHY – 2 days ago
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — It may not involve rocket science, but a new X Prize
Foundation competition for health care reform could pose the institute's
most daunting challenge yet.
The California-based foundation, which helped launch the first private
manned space flight in 2004, is teaming with the insurer WellPoint Inc. to
try to fix the U.S. health care system.
The companies have announced an open competition to devise solutions that
improve health care cost and quality, and they're dangling a prize of at
least $10 million for the winner.
"Reinventing and rebooting the U.S. health care system is not to be taken
lightly," said X-Prize Chief Executive Dr. Peter Diamandis. "Its an
audacious task but, we think, very achievable."
X Prize has thrown down several big challenges in recent years. Aside from
a contest that led to the space flight, the foundation also has offered $10
million for teams that can produce cars that get 100 miles per gallon or
more and $30 million for sending a robot to the moon.
The nonprofit foundation decided to tackle health care after looking at
some of the world's biggest problems that need what Diamandis described as
a revolutionary and fundamental breakthrough.
"Health care is by far at the top of the list," he said.
Contest details will be worked out by early next year. But essentially the
competition will look for ways to "dramatically improve" cost and quality,
said Brad Fluegel, a WellPoint executive vice president.
WellPoint and X Prize officials note that U.S. health care spending is
projected to reach $4.2 trillion by 2016, or 20 percent of the country's
gross domestic product. Such spending in other developed countries makes up
11 percent of the GDP or less.
The contest organizers are thinking big picture. Fluegel said they will
look for a system of solutions instead of one or two improvements.
Potential solutions might involve ways to streamline insurance
reimbursement or the medical claims process that reduce administrative
costs. They also might include solutions that help patients better manage
chronic conditions like diabetes.
WellPoint will then test the finalist ideas in its state markets. A prize
will be awarded only if the solutions prove effective.
"We don't provide a prize for ideas, we don't provide a prize for concepts,
Diamandis said. "We only pay out a prize when the objectives are met."
Diamandis said the contest will probably take several years to play out.
WellPoint and X Prize are asking for help from employers, consumers, health
care providers and the government to devise competition guidelines.
X Prize will run the contest, with WellPoint and its nonprofit foundation
supplying the prize money.
Health care reform needs collaboration like this, said Robert Zirkelbach of
the trade association America's Health Insurance Plans.
"I think to be able to address all the health care challenges facing the
nation, we need to bring all the stakeholders together," he said.
However, the competition smells like a public-relations move to Jerry
Flanagan, health care policy director for California-based Consumer
Watchdog.
"What the insurance companies are trying to do is define the health care
debate in terms that benefit them or at least keep them in the game," he
said.
X Prize never would have gotten involved if the contest was a pr push,
Diamandis said. WellPoint will provide the funding and some advice, but X
Prize will set up the contest, run it and judge winners.
"This is an open-source opportunity for brand new constructs on how to
reinvent the health care system," he said.
Friday, October 17, 2008
WellPoint, X Prize launch $10M health care contest
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3afrXJcGRqbZmupK8WYfiQHzvtQD93QT0BG0
WellPoint, X Prize launch $10M health care contest
By TOM MURPHY – 2 days ago
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — It may not involve rocket science, but a new X Prize
Foundation competition for health care reform could pose the institute's
most daunting challenge yet.
The California-based foundation, which helped launch the first private
manned space flight in 2004, is teaming with the insurer WellPoint Inc. to
try to fix the U.S. health care system.
The companies have announced an open competition to devise solutions that
improve health care cost and quality, and they're dangling a prize of at
least $10 million for the winner.
"Reinventing and rebooting the U.S. health care system is not to be taken
lightly," said X-Prize Chief Executive Dr. Peter Diamandis. "Its an
audacious task but, we think, very achievable."
X Prize has thrown down several big challenges in recent years. Aside from
a contest that led to the space flight, the foundation also has offered $10
million for teams that can produce cars that get 100 miles per gallon or
more and $30 million for sending a robot to the moon.
The nonprofit foundation decided to tackle health care after looking at
some of the world's biggest problems that need what Diamandis described as
a revolutionary and fundamental breakthrough.
"Health care is by far at the top of the list," he said.
Contest details will be worked out by early next year. But essentially the
competition will look for ways to "dramatically improve" cost and quality,
said Brad Fluegel, a WellPoint executive vice president.
WellPoint and X Prize officials note that U.S. health care spending is
projected to reach $4.2 trillion by 2016, or 20 percent of the country's
gross domestic product. Such spending in other developed countries makes up
11 percent of the GDP or less.
The contest organizers are thinking big picture. Fluegel said they will
look for a system of solutions instead of one or two improvements.
Potential solutions might involve ways to streamline insurance
reimbursement or the medical claims process that reduce administrative
costs. They also might include solutions that help patients better manage
chronic conditions like diabetes.
WellPoint will then test the finalist ideas in its state markets. A prize
will be awarded only if the solutions prove effective.
"We don't provide a prize for ideas, we don't provide a prize for concepts,
Diamandis said. "We only pay out a prize when the objectives are met."
Diamandis said the contest will probably take several years to play out.
WellPoint and X Prize are asking for help from employers, consumers, health
care providers and the government to devise competition guidelines.
X Prize will run the contest, with WellPoint and its nonprofit foundation
supplying the prize money.
Health care reform needs collaboration like this, said Robert Zirkelbach of
the trade association America's Health Insurance Plans.
"I think to be able to address all the health care challenges facing the
nation, we need to bring all the stakeholders together," he said.
However, the competition smells like a public-relations move to Jerry
Flanagan, health care policy director for California-based Consumer
Watchdog.
"What the insurance companies are trying to do is define the health care
debate in terms that benefit them or at least keep them in the game," he
said.
X Prize never would have gotten involved if the contest was a pr push,
Diamandis said. WellPoint will provide the funding and some advice, but X
Prize will set up the contest, run it and judge winners.
"This is an open-source opportunity for brand new constructs on how to
reinvent the health care system," he said.
WellPoint, X Prize launch $10M health care contest
By TOM MURPHY – 2 days ago
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — It may not involve rocket science, but a new X Prize
Foundation competition for health care reform could pose the institute's
most daunting challenge yet.
The California-based foundation, which helped launch the first private
manned space flight in 2004, is teaming with the insurer WellPoint Inc. to
try to fix the U.S. health care system.
The companies have announced an open competition to devise solutions that
improve health care cost and quality, and they're dangling a prize of at
least $10 million for the winner.
"Reinventing and rebooting the U.S. health care system is not to be taken
lightly," said X-Prize Chief Executive Dr. Peter Diamandis. "Its an
audacious task but, we think, very achievable."
X Prize has thrown down several big challenges in recent years. Aside from
a contest that led to the space flight, the foundation also has offered $10
million for teams that can produce cars that get 100 miles per gallon or
more and $30 million for sending a robot to the moon.
The nonprofit foundation decided to tackle health care after looking at
some of the world's biggest problems that need what Diamandis described as
a revolutionary and fundamental breakthrough.
"Health care is by far at the top of the list," he said.
Contest details will be worked out by early next year. But essentially the
competition will look for ways to "dramatically improve" cost and quality,
said Brad Fluegel, a WellPoint executive vice president.
WellPoint and X Prize officials note that U.S. health care spending is
projected to reach $4.2 trillion by 2016, or 20 percent of the country's
gross domestic product. Such spending in other developed countries makes up
11 percent of the GDP or less.
The contest organizers are thinking big picture. Fluegel said they will
look for a system of solutions instead of one or two improvements.
Potential solutions might involve ways to streamline insurance
reimbursement or the medical claims process that reduce administrative
costs. They also might include solutions that help patients better manage
chronic conditions like diabetes.
WellPoint will then test the finalist ideas in its state markets. A prize
will be awarded only if the solutions prove effective.
"We don't provide a prize for ideas, we don't provide a prize for concepts,
Diamandis said. "We only pay out a prize when the objectives are met."
Diamandis said the contest will probably take several years to play out.
WellPoint and X Prize are asking for help from employers, consumers, health
care providers and the government to devise competition guidelines.
X Prize will run the contest, with WellPoint and its nonprofit foundation
supplying the prize money.
Health care reform needs collaboration like this, said Robert Zirkelbach of
the trade association America's Health Insurance Plans.
"I think to be able to address all the health care challenges facing the
nation, we need to bring all the stakeholders together," he said.
However, the competition smells like a public-relations move to Jerry
Flanagan, health care policy director for California-based Consumer
Watchdog.
"What the insurance companies are trying to do is define the health care
debate in terms that benefit them or at least keep them in the game," he
said.
X Prize never would have gotten involved if the contest was a pr push,
Diamandis said. WellPoint will provide the funding and some advice, but X
Prize will set up the contest, run it and judge winners.
"This is an open-source opportunity for brand new constructs on how to
reinvent the health care system," he said.
PubMed iPhone App
http://appshopper.com/reference/pubsearch
[Copying and pasting from the above link:]
PubSearch
PubSearch is a fast, efficient search tool for scientists, medical
professionals and students who rely on the ability to quickly access the
millions of research papers indexed in PubMed. By combining a simple,
efficient user interface with fast access to the PubMed database, PubSearch
lets you concentrate on finding the research articles you need without
getting in your way.
==========================
ALSO AVAILABLE : PubSearchPlus
==========================
For about the same price as a cup of coffee, you get full-text access to
millions of scientific articles indexed through PubMed, all in the palm of
your hand.
PubSearchPlus includes EZProxy support, so that even when you're away from
your Institution's network, you can (if your institution uses EZProxy)
access full-text of articles in any journal your Institution subscribes to.
What's new
==========================
MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IS HERE
==========================
PubSearch v1.3 saves the current search results when exiting the app.
Importantly this means that when you click "email" to send an article
abstract in an email, and you return to PubSearch, your search results are
still right there!
No more re-entering searches each time you send an article abstract by
email.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
insta-citation-o-matic
http://www.citeulike.org/
it's like social-networking for poor souls stuck in research paper purgatory.
it's like social-networking for poor souls stuck in research paper purgatory.
it shows what journals other people are reading ... like if they're reading the same ones, and i think it keeps track of your references, and i think it, like, "bibliographizes" stuff for you, like puts it in APA format.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Technology, Health Communication, and Public Health
My thesis could be based on:
"The rapid emergence of new communication technologies and new uses of older technologies, such as telephone, also provide new opportunities and dilemmas. A variety of electronic media for interactive health communication (for example, teh Internet, CD-ROMs, and personal digital assistants [PDAs]) can serve as source of individualized health information, reminders, and social support for health behavior change (Viswanath, 2006; Ahern, Phalen, Le, and Goldman, 2007). These new technologies also may connect individuals with similar health concerns around the world (Bukachi and Pakenham-Walsh, 2007). This may be especially important for people with rare or stigmatized health conditions. However, the new products of the communication revolution have not equally reached affluent and more disadvantaged populations (Viswanath, 2005, 2006).
E-health strategies are becoming an important parto f the armamentarium of strategies for those in health education adn health behavior. Internet and computer-based applications, along with wireless technologies, can support many of the Health Behavior and Health Education strategies based on theories presented in [that] book. Use of new technologies should be based on theories of health behavior and be evaluated (Ahern, Phalen, Le, and Goldman, 2007). Otherwise, we risk being technology-driven instead of outcome-driven.
At the same time, new technologies have the potential to cause harm through misleading or deceptive information, promotion of inappropriate self-care, and interference in the patient-provider relationship (Science Panel on Interactive Communciation and Health, 1999), although the empirical evidence on harms remains to be documented. Interactive health communcations provide new options for behavioral medicine and preventive medicine (Noell and Glasgow, 1999; Fotheringham, Owies, Leslie, and Owen, 2000) and are altering the context of health behavior and health education as they unfold and as their effects are studied (Hesse and others, 2005)."
Excerpt from pages 8-9 of Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice by Karen Glanz, Barbara K. Rimer, and K. Viswanath.
"The rapid emergence of new communication technologies and new uses of older technologies, such as telephone, also provide new opportunities and dilemmas. A variety of electronic media for interactive health communication (for example, teh Internet, CD-ROMs, and personal digital assistants [PDAs]) can serve as source of individualized health information, reminders, and social support for health behavior change (Viswanath, 2006; Ahern, Phalen, Le, and Goldman, 2007). These new technologies also may connect individuals with similar health concerns around the world (Bukachi and Pakenham-Walsh, 2007). This may be especially important for people with rare or stigmatized health conditions. However, the new products of the communication revolution have not equally reached affluent and more disadvantaged populations (Viswanath, 2005, 2006).
E-health strategies are becoming an important parto f the armamentarium of strategies for those in health education adn health behavior. Internet and computer-based applications, along with wireless technologies, can support many of the Health Behavior and Health Education strategies based on theories presented in [that] book. Use of new technologies should be based on theories of health behavior and be evaluated (Ahern, Phalen, Le, and Goldman, 2007). Otherwise, we risk being technology-driven instead of outcome-driven.
At the same time, new technologies have the potential to cause harm through misleading or deceptive information, promotion of inappropriate self-care, and interference in the patient-provider relationship (Science Panel on Interactive Communciation and Health, 1999), although the empirical evidence on harms remains to be documented. Interactive health communcations provide new options for behavioral medicine and preventive medicine (Noell and Glasgow, 1999; Fotheringham, Owies, Leslie, and Owen, 2000) and are altering the context of health behavior and health education as they unfold and as their effects are studied (Hesse and others, 2005)."
Excerpt from pages 8-9 of Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice by Karen Glanz, Barbara K. Rimer, and K. Viswanath.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Location-Based Mobile App Part 2
Here's another idea. Just as there are iPhone apps that will tell you the nearest cinema or restaurants (with ratings to boot), and in addition to other smartphone apps such as Handmark's Express (albeit not location-based, but you can punch in your zip code or city), I propose and am investigating one listing health resources. Get the 411 on categories such as:
- counseling -- places where you can consult for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, pregnancy prevention, travel vaccinations, chronic diseases such as HIV, HBV, diabetes, etc.
- clinical -- places where you can get treated or vaccinated for STIs, chronic diseases, etc., as well as preventive care check-ups, especially low-cost services
- services -- places providing services other than counseling or clinical, such as transportation for those with disabilities, medical translation, wigs, prostheses, etc.
- action -- places where you can lend your skills to promote health (a.k.a. volunteering) -- local community-based health organizations, your local government representatives (lobbying), etc.
- food -- healthy food (a good and ample selection of foods that are nutritious and moderate in calories) and safe food (places that understand dietary restrictions)
I provide the content and funding + You (whoever you are) provide the programming and tech support = We enhance and save lives.
Bridging the Digital Divide in BRIC
Off the AP wires yesterday, it was announced that "Dell unveils new PCs targeting emerging markets." While the computers are designed for small-business users, it is one more way the [inter]net is being cast wider, and thereby, health messages can reach more people via this medium. The particular emerging markets Dell is focusing on are Brazil, Russia, India, and China, a.k.a. BRIC. After this computers will still yet become more and more affordable for countries beyond BRIC.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Case for my Location Based App
According to my Google Reader and nytimes.com, an article was published today relaying: "Taking a step that professors may view as a bit counterproductive, some universities are doling out Apple iPhones and Internet-capable iPods to students."
The implications:
The implications:
- Bridging the digital divide (and reaching the medically underserved) ... many more people own phones, but not necessarily computers. Eventually data plans will become more affordable, and even before then, I'll wager that location-based technology would become standard even sooner.
- Student health outreach in a college community, and best of all ...
- An audience for my location-based health app proposed a couple days ago -- scroll down to August 15.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Case 4 Txting
Out of the mouths of babes --
l: heyy ya kno wat i just did??
o: Ahh wat????
l: kk so i just signed up so that obama will txt me wen he chooses his vice pres and ill b 1 of the 1st 2 kno!
o: WHAT? I WANNA DO THAT!! AHHH
l: kk txt VP to 62262 (which spells obama) heyy isnt he the coolest?! most boring ppl wud announce that on tv...but obama txts ppl!! o btw this is free
o: hes SO winning
l: yaa deff heyy did u do it??
o: No not yet..hold ur horses
l: tee hee
o: K i just did it hehe
l: yayyyy we're sooo cool
o: i know i feel special!
l: yuppppp ahhh i wonder who its gonna b
o: I want clinton!
l: omg that wud b AMAZING like a dream come true
o: Haha! it actually wud, like first black man and first woman!
l: uggg that wud b awsome
o: I love how we r talkin bout politics...hehe
l: hehe
l: heyy ya kno wat i just did??
o: Ahh wat????
l: kk so i just signed up so that obama will txt me wen he chooses his vice pres and ill b 1 of the 1st 2 kno!
o: WHAT? I WANNA DO THAT!! AHHH
l: kk txt VP to 62262 (which spells obama) heyy isnt he the coolest?! most boring ppl wud announce that on tv...but obama txts ppl!! o btw this is free
o: hes SO winning
l: yaa deff heyy did u do it??
o: No not yet..hold ur horses
l: tee hee
o: K i just did it hehe
l: yayyyy we're sooo cool
o: i know i feel special!
l: yuppppp ahhh i wonder who its gonna b
o: I want clinton!
l: omg that wud b AMAZING like a dream come true
o: Haha! it actually wud, like first black man and first woman!
l: uggg that wud b awsome
o: I love how we r talkin bout politics...hehe
l: hehe
Managing Priorities with Excel
So many diseases too prevent, so little time. Here's how to manage priorities using Microsoft Excel.
Friday, August 15, 2008
location based app for health
What about using the iPhone's location-based technology for health? This is an extension of a program ISIS does, in that text participants get SMSes relative to the time of day. For example, it's 10pm on a Friday night -- you get a text that says, "appoint a designated driver," or "grab a condom from the fishbowl at 'x' Bar or pub."
With location-based technology, the first thing that comes to mind is if you're nearby a park or, say, walking along San Francisco's Embarcadero, this application would tell you to do five push-ups by the giant bow-and-arrow ... or something cooler, but you get my drift.
With location-based technology, the first thing that comes to mind is if you're nearby a park or, say, walking along San Francisco's Embarcadero, this application would tell you to do five push-ups by the giant bow-and-arrow ... or something cooler, but you get my drift.
research on technology and reaching youth with health messages
Got an assignment today to "research on technolgy [sic] and reaching youth with health messages." Might as well document it for myself and everyone else.
everything you need to know
Stanford professor Dr. BJ Fogg organized a conference (texting4health.org -- the name says it all) earlier this year addressing mobile-technology for health. He states, "Mobile phones will become the #1 platform for persuasion." Looks like the conference was done in partnership with, amongst others, the American Heart Association and ISIS.
This is excellent, it's not youth specific, but if you combine the info presented here with the pew internet research (where the above charts came from), i think it adds up to something that makes sense. and much, much more useful, telling data.
other stuff i found
case study
youth and electronic communication (section 4)
not youth oriented, but this gives you an idea of different ways to interact with and present info to the youth via texting service.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Next VP Via ... Text!
In medieval times, I would've called today a red letter day. In these millenial times, I'll call it a red texted day.
Today I had the opportunity to be part of an nifty meeting to discuss the possibility of using texting for cancer control. And then, I get back to my desk, trying to figure out how to text a 5 digit number, only to find out instead that Obama will announce his VP running mate via text.
Today I had the opportunity to be part of an nifty meeting to discuss the possibility of using texting for cancer control. And then, I get back to my desk, trying to figure out how to text a 5 digit number, only to find out instead that Obama will announce his VP running mate via text.
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