Carrie Rich

This 👂 podcast episode and insight’s from a16z Bio + Health's Julie Yoo spoke so clearly to the fundamental challenge facing both 🩺 clinicians and 🏥 healthcare systems.  There is a huge disconnect between supply, in the availability of clinicians, and demand, in the increasing volume and complexity of healthcare needs. -     36% of physicians plan to reduce their hours next year according to the AMA -     48% of physicians reported feeling burned out in a 2024 Medscape survey At the same time, the demographic baby boomer bubble and steady increase in the prevalence of major chronic disease, which consumes up to 90% of healthcare expenditures according to some estimates, is driving demand. With this context, Yoo points to a major opportunity for AI adoption in healthcare in 2025. Yeah, a VC hyping a wave of new AI companies that will replace the decades of training and experience of clinicians, the skeptic would say.  But Yoo is thoughtful in pointing to the role AI can play, and is already playing, through solutions such as ambient, autonomous scribe solutions (of which local star Abridge is leading the pack) in not replacing, but freeing up productivity for clinicians. There is so much unstructured context in both the complexity of disease and treatment options and the social/emotional considerations that we shouldn't be looking for AI to *replace* clinicians. But companies are getting better at finding the structured, repetitive and time-consuming places where AI tools can *help* clinicians. Nearly two-thirds of doctors cited bureaucratic tasks as the leading contributor to burnout. Rigorously trained-AI driven solutions can be a force multiplier for clinicians, and I’ve seen several interviews where nurses and doctors go as far as to say some of these solutions are ”restoring their joy in practicing medicine”. Our health is precious; and we rightly want any technology engaging with it to be developed thoughtfully and thoroughly tested. This requires top AI talent and diverse and realistic training data. Pittsburgh’s strengths in both areas is why we are an emerging hub for data-driven healthcare. #AIinhealthcare #clinicianburnout #healthinnovation #digitalhealth

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Why should healthspan technologies be a priority for investors? Chief Investment Officer of Hevolution Foundation, Dr. William Greene tells us why. A huge shoutout to the APCO and Hevolution Foundation teams for scheduling and making this happen. Thank you! Key Takeaways: 1. The solution to solving chronic diseases in aging populations lies in addressing the technological, care, and approach gaps. 2. About 5% of people globally develop cancer in their lifetime and 100% of people develop chronic, debilitating diseases, which demonstrates that the market for healthspan technologies is vast and underserved. 3. Thinking holistically from idea, science, and then translation is essential in the cause and treatment of diseases for patients.

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Telehealth is booming in places like the US, but in South Africa, it’s barely getting started. At the Africa Health Conference, I saw plenty of innovative telehealth solutions, but adoption here remains slow. It’s more than just our limited internet access—cultural preferences, language barriers, data security concerns, and even provider resistance might be holding things back. The technology is ready, but are we really addressing these deeper issues? Know any virtual care or telehealth companies getting it right? Please tag them in the comments.

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When the Digital Health Awards categories came out this year, we were thrilled to see one called "Biggest Healthcare Savings Story". Oshi Health continues to demonstrate total cost of care savings: first in a clinical trial, then in 18 months of a value-based contract with a national payer and now with dozens of employers over multiple years. When you provide high-touch care that identifies root causes of #digestivehealth conditions and helps patients gain control of their condition, the cycle of repeated diagnostic testing and emergency room visits stops and total cost goes down. We are honored to be a finalist in this important category! #valuebasedcare #wholepersoncare

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As an official press support sponsor for HLTH USA, the Pharmacy Podcast Network had the privilege of capturing insights and conversations from key participants, including Matthew Higham from IDEO, Shaheen E Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN of Click Therapeutics, Inc., Christine H. Kim with MedMe Health (YC W21), and Melanie Marcus, Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer at Surescripts. The 3-Part series aims to empower #pharmacists by illuminating the vital role of digital health in shaping the future of pharmacy care. Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC) played a significant role at #HLTH2024 as the only technology platform and trade group representing Independent Community Pharmacy. Present at innovation booth number 4240, IPC showcased its #iCare+ #digitalhealth platform, designed specifically for independent community pharmacies. With approximately 18,000 independently owned pharmacies operating across the U.S., IPC is committed to enhancing public health, especially amid the ongoing pharmacy desert crisis. “Community pharmacies are critical healthcare access points for many Americans, and it is essential that we equip them with the digital tools they need to thrive in today's evolving healthcare landscape,” said Ashton S. Maaraba, J.D, President at IPC iCare+. “Through our presence at HLTH and the insights shared in this podcast series, we hope to inspire pharmacists to embrace digital health solutions and advocate for their pivotal role in patient care.” The three-part podcast series will delve into the innovative ideas presented at the conference, emphasizing the intersection of technology and pharmacy practice. Listeners can expect to gain valuable perspectives on how digital health is transforming pharmacy services and enhancing patient care. Here's part one: https://lnkd.in/e4B6Hnyh

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The healthcare system is at a breaking point. (Corporatization is eating it up) Corporate and government-led systems prioritize profits and bureaucracy over patient outcomes. And it leaves independent physicians struggling to maintain their autonomy. But physicians are not powerless. WE remain to be the bridge between patients and an increasingly convoluted system. It’s time to leverage that position and reclaim our role as patient advocates. 📌 Check out the 5 key strategies to strengthen independent practices and restore influence: 1) Shared Ownership of Vendors 2) Building Alliances for Strength in Numbers 3) Educating the Public 4) Innovating Through Independence 5) Claiming a Seat at the Table This isn’t just a fight for physician autonomy—it’s a fight for better healthcare for all. Where do you see healthcare going from this point? How do we fight corporatization? 🤔 #healthcare #corporatization #healthcaresystem #physicians #sharedownership #patientcare

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Congratulations and gratitude, Flory Wilson, for your inaugural #RMH@WorkCorporateIndex from Reproductive & Maternal Health Compass (RMH Compass) launched this week at Clinton Global Initiative! We have to lift up these easy wins for the largest U.S. companies to strengthen their reproductive and maternal health offerings: 🙌 Pre- and post-natal doula care 🙌 Inclusive family formation benefits (highest proven ROI) 🙌 Bereavement leave policy that covers pregnancy loss. 💡 Data also indicates nearly all of the largest US employers cover abortion care, yet few share these details with their employees. #abortionisyourbusiness 💡 The report also highlights the importance of #benefitstransparency particularly when healthcare access is being restricted for so many American workers. ⚡️Read the whole thing: https://lnkd.in/gpFjx_iQ #CGI2024 #workerhealth #benefitstransparency #workerbenefits #reproductivehealth  #maternalhealth  #healthyequity CC VCs for Repro

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Happy Small Business Month Ya'll. Check this out...Is this funding opportunity for you? I've summarized it for you. Here's a Snapshot: In line with the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) wants research applications focused on health issues that mainly affect women or show up differently in women. Think autoimmune diseases, depression, cardiovascular issues, and more. Here are some high-priority topics: Studying how biology and gender impact health. Looking at how mental and physical health outcomes are influenced by various factors. Turning research findings into real-world benefits for women. Building partnerships to boost women's health research. Raising public awareness and investment in women's health. Tackling health disparities and inequities affecting women. Spreading evidence-based interventions to improve women's health. Focusing on topics from the Women’s Health Innovation Opportunity Map. Projects should focus on women's health, considering social and structural factors. If your study includes multiple genders, it should compare gender differences effectively.

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I am thrilled to be part of the 3rd edition of the Africa HealthTech Summit - AHTS. It is an exciting time for global health collaboration, and I look forward to sharing insights on how we can build stronger connections between health ecosystems worldwide. Looking forward to seeing many of you there! #AHTS2024 #GlobalHealth #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation"

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Maternal death rates in the US have more than doubled in the last 2 decades. This summer, our high school intern Phiona Nabagereka delved into the impact of doulas on maternal care, guided by my colleague Lilian Zhang. Through literature reviews, Medicaid reimbursement analyses, and doula interviews, we examine the current flaws in integrating doulas into clinical care teams and propose potential improvements to enhance the value of doulas overall. #DoulaCare #maternalhealth #maternalmortality #Medicaid #birthsupport #DoulaImpact Read more about our findings here:

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What I Learned from the HLTH Conference: Key Takeaways for the Future of Healthcare Attending the HLTH Conference was an eye-opener in many ways. Here are a few of my key takeaways that can reshape how we approach healthcare: Funding the Future: Sustainable funding models remain crucial. Whether through traditional routes like Medicaid (despite its fragmentation) or exploring alternative payment sources, it's clear that innovative payment models are essential to ensuring broad access to care. Outpatient SUD Treatment: 90% of substance use disorders (SUD) can be treated in outpatient settings. This shift could reduce healthcare costs and ease the burden on emergency rooms, where many addicts currently turn due to lack of primary care support. Technology and Wearables: The role of wearables and AI in healthcare is growing. Brainwave monitoring, biosensors in wearables for addiction management, and camera-based non-verbal emotion recognition are all promising advancements. Continued collaboration with tech leaders like Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and others is key to scaling these solutions. Workforce Challenges: By 2025, we could face a shortage of 3 million doctors, forcing healthcare to rethink delivery models. One solution? Empower patients to help each other—technology can facilitate this transformation. The Power of Partnerships: Engaging with partners, whether through foundations, tech companies, or local community-based programs, will be essential to overcoming healthcare’s biggest challenges. Collaboration is at the heart of progress. Looking forward to following up with the incredible individuals and organizations I met at HLTH and continuing to push forward in addressing some of healthcare's toughest issues! #HealthcareInnovation #HLTH2024 #WearableTech #AddictionRecovery #OutpatientCare #Partnerships #FutureOfHealthcare #DigitalHealth

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🌟 Don't miss this insightful article shedding light on the crucial intersection of technology and healthcare, particularly in addressing disparities impacting Black women's health. It's a must-read for anyone passionate about health equity and innovation in healthcare! The piece highlights the pressing need for innovative solutions to combat systemic barriers and dismissive treatment within the healthcare system. Discover how #FemTech, encompassing a range of digital health services, is emerging as a beacon of hope, offering targeted interventions to bridge the health gap for Black women. Learn about pioneering companies like InovCares, Motherocity Health, and Incredible Health, leading the charge with transformative solutions tailored to address maternal health, postpartum depression, and healthcare staffing shortages. Their initiatives exemplify the power of technology in addressing overlooked health needs and empowering marginalized communities. Join the conversation and celebrate the strides made by #FemTech founders like Mohamed Kamara, Lydia Simmons , and Iman Abuzeid. Let's continue championing efforts to ensure equitable healthcare access for all, especially those historically marginalized. Don't miss out on this enlightening read! #BMHW2024 #FemTech #HealthEquity #BlackWomenHealth #InovCares #Motherocity #IncredibleHealth 🚀👩🏾‍⚕️ https://lnkd.in/e5JRbTk7

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We can all want maternal health outcomes to be better. We can all rally together and demand systemic change for moms, safer standards, more nental health support and access to resources that help. But yall. We need to empower and PAY our huge community of heart led caregivers so that the change we need isn't lost in burnout statistics, rushed and ill equipped perinatal caregivers attempting taking advantage of poorly executed training programs, encouraged to affect change with empty cups and skinny bank account balances. Learn the skill, yes. Then build the business that will support the use and expansion of the skill. Time to level up.

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***From Best Practices to Next Practices*** Digital Health is an Emerging Determinant of Health says OCED's first-ever chapter on Digital Health in their annual Health-at-a-Glance report. Digital health readiness is considered a determinant of health as it influences health data usage, healthcare service delivery, and health outcomes through digital transformation. Countries with higher digital health readiness have better responses to health crises, improved resource utilization, lower costs, and enhanced patient experiences. Perhaps the most important point is featured in the image below, where the HUMAN FACTORS live. We have over-invested the last decade in the technologies and data systems to support Digital Health, however, we have heavily under-invested in the capacity and literacy building, community collaboration, transparent governance, and systems thinking that is required to take advantage of said technology and data. I liken it to 100 years ago, in 1924 when the automobile first arrived. At that time 95% of the world was still operating the horse and buggy, it took 40-50 years later to harness the power of the automobile to transport goods and services to every community. It's time we realize our healthcare system is the HORSE and BUGGY of this century... Here is a link to the copy of the chapter: https://lnkd.in/gzJ-GQbp #DigitalHealth #HealthTech #HealthData #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareTransformation #DataSecurity #Interoperability #PatientEngagement #AIinHealthcare #PublicHealthImpact #digitalreadiness #communityimpact

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As a child of the ‘80s, I grew up in an America where we celebrated the multicultural, multiethnic, and multi-faith foundation of our civic society. It was a given that our “multi-everything” identity was our core strength—something we took for granted. In recent years, though, I’ve been troubled by the growing divides around us. The idea that our diversity is our strength now feels like a concept that needs active defending, always. This past summer, I turned my concerns into action by joining the board of Mosaic: Interfaith Youth Action, a Boston-based organization dedicated to fostering connection and understanding across cultural divides among young people. With Election Day approaching, I believe many of us—across the whole political and apolitical spectrum—still see our common humanity as a critical foundation for collective action. If you’re among those who want to help shift our society from divisiveness to collaboration, please consider supporting Mosaic in our end-of-year fundraising drive. It has been a pivotal year for Mosaic: In 2024, we are set to engage over 400 youth—the highest number in our history! These young people, from all backgrounds, come together to build understanding, foster leadership, and create meaningful change through our programs. We’ve launched several new initiatives that empower youth in profound ways: Bridges Program: Youth confront the challenges of religious intolerance through dialogue and art. The result? Inspiring projects that reflect our shared humanity and foster allyship, which will be showcased at the Boston Children’s Museum. Circles of Action: This program equips youth to address social issues like climate justice and religious tolerance through dialogue and hands-on service learning. Interfaith Culinary Arts Program: Youth at the Community Academy of Science and Health in Dorchester explore religious traditions through food. They learn about dietary practices, kitchen safety, and healthy habits, culminating in a shared meal that brings faiths and cultures together. Participants will also earn ServSafe Certification, helping to bridge the vocational skills gap in under-resourced neighborhoods. With this growth, our operating costs have risen, making this year’s end-of-year fundraising especially crucial. If you share my optimism in our youth and believe in the power of bridge-building, I’d appreciate your support in any of these ways: - Follow Mosaic: Interfaith Youth Action on LinkedIn - Make a one-time donation of any amount that feels right – perhaps $46, in honor of the 46th transition of presidential power that will be happening in January 2025. (See link below) - Join as a monthly donor of any amount – perhaps $12/month, in honor of the 12 presidential elections we have held in my lifetime. (See link below) Thank you for reading this message, and for being a part of this mission! https://lnkd.in/ey8TxdtQ

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For those of you working in women's health or LGBTQ health -- how we think about lesbian health could help you improve the health of everyone. I wrote this in 2017 for the now shuttered lesbian magazine "Curve" and it continues to resonate today: Since 2001, I have been an LGBT health advocate. I learned the most about this type of advocacy from my five years as the executive director of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project in Chicago. It was there that I met lesbians like Peggy, who died of ovarian cancer. She was without her partner at the end because her homophobic parents flew in and seized control of her care. And then there was Shannon, who died of breast cancer. She was an artist, didn’t have health insurance, and had never had a mammogram—until it was too late. My dear friend Lisa died of lung cancer. She ignored the signs for months because she was busy organizing our support groups, taking care of her partner and everyone but herself. Lesbian health is about all of this—homophobia, access to health insurance, and the challenge of putting ourselves first in a busy, stressful world. But to hear most doctors talk, you would think tackling our BMI (Body Mass Index) would magically solve all these problems. Obesity is often the first thing out of their mouths when it comes to lesbian health—but it shouldn’t be. What we really should be talking about is strength. How are we building strength in our bodies, our muscles, our bones? How are we building strong hearts, relationships, and communities? In what ways are we already strong, and where do we need to get stronger? Me? I'm 44 years old and keep suffering from lower back pain. As soon as my doctor described how core strength would support my back, it all made sense. Suddenly, it wasn’t a conversation about weight but about strength. Many of us avoid going to the doctor because we don’t want to talk about our weight—especially with a straight doctor. Prioritizing a strong back and core was exactly what I needed to motivate my feminist lesbian soul. I propose centering lesbian health—our health—on strength and resilience. Lesbians building muscles. Lesbians with strong hearts. Lesbians whose backs can bear the weight of it all. Resilience is the ability to bounce back or quickly adjust to change. As lesbians, we should see this as a crucial and powerful goal. Resilience is built on strength. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dpsusc6

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I always read Rock Health's digital health reports as they give a nice pulse feel for what is happening in the digital health funding space. Good to see funds raised in H1 2024 suggest funding in the sector seems to have stabilized at 2023 levels. Its no surprise the report emphasis the buzz around AI and healthcare. There have been clear winners in the AI healthcare space in the area of process and cost optimization and the R&D space. The impact of AI in care and treatment delivery is so far much more muted. One area I never though to look at AI was in its ability to bring together multiple healthcare pathways and digital point solutions into a more holistic seamless experience for the patient. There is a clear trend away from using stand alone digital health point solutions, and could AI address this challenge by facilitating the efficient integration of disparate processes and technology into unified care programs. I can see this happening with digital health products but this will be more tricky to do with physical care programs involving clinicians and HCPs. “AI is helping us combine multiple parts of the care journey, across all care experiences. In the future, benefits navigation, clinical guidance, and care delivery won’t be delivered by separate companies or point solutions within the healthcare ecosystem. They’ll be features that work in concert within products, and they’ll happen in under 90 seconds for a seamless patient experience.” – Glen Tullman, CEO, Transcarent and Managing Partner, 7wireVentures

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Exciting News: Introducing Murado Entertainment 🚀 A New Chapter for New Level of Impact.... The past few months have been a season of deep reflection — a time to envision how I can continue building on my journey to invest in the communities I love so deeply. Today, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Murado Entertainment, a new media production company I will lead as CEO, alongside luminary tech leader and entrepreneur Tom Chavez. Tom’s life work has embodied the values that have fueled my professional journey. His visionary leadership in technology, AI, and data has transformed industries and opened doors for responsible innovation and enduring impact. And now, we are joining forces to make history together–and deliver results that benefit our beloved community. At Murado, we are creating immersive cinematic experiences and platforms for authentic storytelling that center humanity, culture, and power. Latinos have been a driving force in the creative arts and filmmaking, inspiring some of the most powerful stories and cultural moments. As one of the most prolific groups of moviegoers and a $2.8 trillion economic engine, our community fuel the creative economy — and now it’s time we share in the success of our contributions. Murado Entertainment will ensure greater creative control, ownership of content, and financial rewards for the investors and communities that drive our success—while creating storytelling platforms that reflect the lived experiences of Latinos, immigrants, and kids with special needs. This is more than entertainment — it’s about redefining an industry and creating a new playbook for Hollywood. A playbook where creators and storytellers have agency, power, and a seat at the table to shape the stories that inspire generations. To all the storytellers, talent, and allies who share this vision: Join us. Sign up at www.murado.com and be part of what’s coming next. In the coming months, we will share more about our first film project, partners, and investors. Tom and I are ready to break the mold—and expand the boundaries of what’s possible. This is our time to reclaim, reimagine, and rise together. Sign-up and follow along at www.murado.com. ✨ #MuradoEntertainment #LatinoStories #RepresentationMatters #LatinoLeadership #ImpactInvesting #CommunityPower

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