Respiratory infections continue to have the highest incidence rate in Europe. Where asthma is considered, there has been a sharp increase in global cases, morbidity, and mortality rates, as well as being an economic burden over the last 40 years. More than 300 million people have asthma worldwide. These figures demonstrate that despite the efforts of the past few years, the reduction of the incidence of asthma has not been achieved yet. Thorsten Lehmann at H&T Presspart analyses how, connected devices, such as smart inhalers, offer a great opportunity to increase adherence and improve the quality of life of patients.
Extract:
‘Smart Inhalers: A Digital Step Towards Patient-Centricity’
Respiratory infections continue to have the highest incidence rate in Europe. And when asthma is considered, there has been a sharp increase in global cases, morbidity, and mortality rates, as well as being an economic burden over the last 40 years. More than 300 million people have asthma worldwide. These figures demonstrate that despite the efforts of the past few years, the reduction of the incidence of asthma has not been achieved yet.
Connected devices – such as smart inhalers – offer a great opportunity to increase adherence and improve the quality of life of patients.
Increasing life expectancy drives the development of personalised healthcare
Since 1960, the average life expectancy has risen by 20 years. And with the world population aging fast, there will be more than one billion senior citizens in the world by 2030. As life expectancy continues to rise, a growing number of elderly people will suffer from a variety of both chronic and mental illnesses, and physical disabilities. Depending on the disease, they would require long-term medical attention and care. However, hospital treatment may not be the best option which is when the emphasis starts to shift to at-home treatments.
In recent years, home healthcare has been a significant part of the healthcare industry. Technology is setting the stage for some extensive changes in this area. Assistive and monitoring devices as well as mobile laboratories are just a few examples. With these innovations playing such an important role in disease identification, management, and treatment, it is reasonable to assume that they will also aid in improving service delivery and quality of care. The future of homecare looks promising, especially in the case of chronic ailments such as heart failure, Alzheimer’s, and COPD. The self-management of health will become more of the norm in the future, driven by an aging population.
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