Aging demographics, urbanization, and various technological advancements: these trends are all serving to change and shape the health landscape. Healthcare is undergoing a transformation thanks in part to technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), which is speeding up drug development, enabling precision medicine, and advancing therapy, but current health systems will face both opportunities and difficulties because of all three. We may, however, leverage the advantages of one trend to address the difficulties of another if we take them into account collectively.
Governments, the life sciences, academia, and the technology sector need to work together across disciplinary boundaries to address the current megatrends in healthcare. According to The World Economic Forum, average life expectancy in the world has risen from 34 years in 1913 to 72 years in 2022 and is expected to keep rising. The idea of spending more time with loved ones and friends and living longer, meaningful lives might be encouraging to all of us, but we also need to recognize the increase in health issues that goes hand-in-hand with these developments.
Chronic diseases are more likely to occur as people age. Almost 80 percent of persons over 65 suffer from at least one chronic illness, and as individuals live longer, previously unknown or less serious diseases are also becoming more prevalent. As a result, there are now serious health issues that call for a great deal of new medical innovation. Without putting undue strain on already overburdened healthcare systems, coming up with innovative solutions to care for the increasing number of older patients is imperative.
According to the World Economic Forum, in addition to aging, the world is becoming more urbanized, with more than 56 percent of the world’s population living in cities, and this percentage is predicted to increase to more than 70 percent by 2050. Some people will find it simpler to access care and medications if they live in big cities with dependable infrastructure, but the metropolitan health systems may face unmanageable demands because of this rapid population expansion.
Although these obstacles are significant, we’re living at a time when new technology is developing at an unprecedented rate and scale. However you feel about AI, it’s significantly speeding up the process of finding and creating new medication candidates.
Cigna Healthcare sees generative AI shaping strategy and growing its presence in the industry, causing a significant shift. According to a McKinsey poll of U.S. healthcare executives, 59 percent are actively working with outside vendors to create personalized care solutions; 24 percent intend to develop solutions internally; and 17 percent anticipate purchasing off-the-shelf generative AI products. Furthermore, generative AI will be crucial in determining strategy and expansion in the medical field. The next phase in the evolution of healthcare experiences will be to use state-of-the-art AI and machine-learning algorithms to predict patients’ needs and offer preventive measures. Additionally, by facilitating communication between patients and their care teams, these platforms will enhance the overall patient experience in areas such as medication adherence, proactive recommendations for preventive scheduling, and necessary testing and follow-up.
AI has its downsides, of course, and there will be a greater emphasis on data security to safeguard member and patient privacy as the usage of generative AI grows. The risk and legal frameworks governing the usage of generative AI will also be more strategically considered by enterprises. According to Cigna, keeping people in the loop will be crucial as generative AI doesn’t always provide accurate answers—at least not yet.
Obtaining better digital literacy is always a useful skill to have, however; whether it’s through technology that helps patients make appointments, receive medication reminders, access personal health information, or receive care virtually while being monitored remotely, knowing how to access and use these tools is vital during healthcare’s digital transformation.
Digital assistants that provide tailored material according to user needs will become more common, and AI-powered solutions will provide prompt responses, tailored content, and the best course of action in real time. By making it simple for individuals to interact with their health plans to access the care they need and then stay involved and proactive in managing their health throughout their care journey, this stage of technological disruption in healthcare will ultimately result in better health outcomes.
“In 2025, clinical excellence will be emphasized through benefits that offer whole-person support, clinical guidance, and end-to-end integrated care models and solutions in areas such as women’s health and condition-specific care,” says Cigna.
Historically, the phrase ‘women’s health’ has been linked to a narrow spectrum of conditions specific to women, such as pregnancy. However, individuals working in healthcare and governance today are realizing that women’s health encompasses much more than just obstetrics and gynecology.
Through research of 7.4 million commercially insured individuals between the ages of 13 and 64, women made up 50 percent of the population, but they also accounted for 53 percent of patients seeking medical attention and 57 percent of all care expenses. While 69 percent of the diseases included in claims data were more prevalent, more expensive, or both in women, only seven percent of the health issues assessed were exclusive to women.
This year, there will be a stronger drive to make significant progress in the field of women’s health, with compassionate advice for women that considers the full person rather than just their symptoms. A thorough grasp of the disproportionate effects that women suffer, the root reasons of the differences in their healthcare experiences, and the ways that healthcare service delivery and benefit design can be improved to better meet the unique needs of women are all part of this.
According to Canada Health Watch, the majority of Canadians desire a healthcare system where patients can access their test results and treatment plans at any time, from any location, and where the required health information flows naturally from doctor to specialist.
Patients want access to health information and digital services, such as appointment scheduling and prescription renewals, for the obvious advantages of receiving better care and saving time. With over half avoiding needless trips to the ER or doctor, more than 80 percent of Canadians who have accessed their health information believe that having strong access to their medical records has improved their ability to manage their health.
It’s evident that facilitating the smooth exchange of health information between patients and providers empowers people to play a more active part in their own healthcare and facilitates patient-centered decision-making. Additionally, physicians benefit by having a comprehensive view of their patients’ medical records since it lessens the administrative strain of acquiring medical data, enables more individualized treatment, and eventually improves patient outcomes.
Although there is broad agreement to update the healthcare system and improve data utilization, there are still crucial factors to consider in order to advance digital health.
With data showing a high degree of comfort among respondents, Canadians are embracing the integration of cutting-edge technologies into the healthcare system. Regarding AI, half of Canadians say they are at ease with its use as a medical tool, while almost 60 percent say they would be open to allowing researchers to use their personal health information for AI research, as long as informed consent is acquired.
Again, concerns about privacy and potential liability related to care decisions made using AI algorithms are the next most common concerns of Canadians regarding AI integration, behind the loss of human interaction with healthcare providers. Yet despite reservations, there is a real desire to incorporate AI into the healthcare system because of its potential to improve patient outcomes and care.
Finally, there’s a much-needed shift in mental health treatment that places more emphasis on assessment, personalization, and navigation. Mental health and well-being are currently the top health issues in 30 countries worldwide, according to Cigna, with studies showing one out of every four Americans struggles with mental health issues, and takes an average of 11 years to seek mental health treatment, which can exacerbate illness, resulting in more severe symptoms and eventually raising the expense of therapy. In the 15 months following diagnosis, outpatient behavioral health therapy has been linked to up to US $2,565 in medical and pharmacy savings, according to research.
Even while access to behavioral health treatment has significantly increased over the past five to 10 years, many Americans still struggle with it. In addition to advancements in behavioral care navigation through individualized assistance, identifying the appropriate methods of care, assisting individuals in scheduling appointments, and offering 24/7 real-time clinical support, 2025 will see a larger shift toward integrating mental health into primary care to improve access.
To properly address America’s youth mental health epidemic and help the entire family, the behavioral healthcare industry must also change. Millions of young people are struggling, whether they have a diagnosis or not, and many parents feel unable to handle the numerous issues that affect both their personal and professional lives. Additionally, employers in the United States spend about US $200 billion a year on behavioral healthcare for workers and their dependents, an amount that doesn’t include indirect costs including missed work and lost productivity.
The healthcare system is changing dramatically, with the sector set to undergo many significant changes as a result of technological breakthroughs, changing patient needs, and the ever-changing complexity of medical treatments. The future of healthcare is expected to be dynamic and transformative, encompassing everything from improving customer experiences and putting women’s health first to developing behavioral healthcare and implementing generative AI. To take advantage of these trends and enhance the general healthcare environment and results for employees, employers need to remain knowledgeable and flexible.
