Category: Health

There are many algorithms developed to do good but lack an understanding of the data science principles that allow them to benefit all people. No algorithm is perfect, but there are ways to design algorithms that can improve outcomes for all people over time. ..

To what extent will AI-aided systems replace or augment existing technologies as the role of frontline care staff is being reshaped by computers that can monitor cases, analyze data and directly deliver basic care...

With social distancing and lockdown measures in place, coping with isolation has been an ongoing challenge for many across the world...

We have now arrived at a significant milestone where companies and organizations should take stock of what’s worked, what hasn’t and what they can and should be doing to prepare themselves for the next “unprecedented” event...

If COVID-19 has a lesson for us with regards to health, it is this: our social environments matter just as much as our DNAs and lifestyle choices. Experts are cognisant of the fact that joblessness, lack of education and racial inequities are part and parcel of the problems that need to be fixed...

While the Biden administration can be expected to have a robust healthcare agenda beyond the first 100 days, the president understands that getting the pandemic under better control is critical to making progress on other issues. As a result, his first 100 days will be all about the pandemic...

Speaking at the January 8th Brazda Breakfast briefing, an event sponsored by APCO and hosted by our partner, The Alliance for Health Policy, Commissioner Hahn emphasized that communicating transparent standards and guidelines for the public was critical to ensuring that health care providers effectively combat COVID-19...

On December 18, the FDA approved Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use in the United States. The move makes Moderna’s vaccine the second to reach the American public. Now that the scientific community has developed multiple breakthrough vaccines to halt the coronavirus pandemic, we face an equal challenge: getting them safely to immunization sites around the world and in the arms of people. ..

With two COVID-19 vaccines already being put in arms around the country and more expected early next year, healthcare providers must successfully deploy millions of doses of the vaccines to end the coronavirus pandemic. However, just as important as the logistics of getting this done, the public must be willing to get the vaccine in large enough numbers to control the spread of the disease. ..

Sandra Lindsay became the first American to receive a coronavirus vaccine outside of a clinical trial on December 14. The nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center is the first of hundreds of millions of people who will need the vaccine to control the coronavirus pandemic as America’s death toll rises. To be successful, the rollout of the vaccination campaign requires coordination among state, local and national officials and private sector leaders. ..

With two COVID-19 vaccines going into the arms of front-line healthcare workers and residents of nursing home and assisted living facilities, the world now faces the massive challenge of coordinating and administering vaccine doses to millions of people. Success depends on clear communication, consistent guidance and careful coordination between all parties involved...

2020 has delivered certainty to us all about health. We now know that it is an existential asset not only for individuals but for business and society as a whole. Now, as vaccination makes working, playing and loving without wearing a mask a realistic prediction for 2021, leaders of all ilk need to make operating as the one humanity we are a new status quo...

The COVID-19 crisis has been an eye-opener for many stakeholders, especially national governments, and has revealed that sharing health data is essential for enabling positive health outcomes and more sustainable health systems in Europe...

As a global population, we’re leaning in to science and the scientific community more than ever before—representing a critical inflection point for healthcare communicators and marketers...

The effect of existing antibiotics has perpetually diminished due to increasing development of resistance, hence securing a robust pipeline of new antimicrobials is more important than ever...

It has been a buzzword for several years, but the concept of Europe’s ‘strategic autonomy’ has really gathered more attention over the last months in light of the COVID-19 crisis...

As health policy is a hot topic in a COVID-19 world, it was hardly surprising that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened her State of the European Union address on 16 September with four health proposals. In the pre-COVID-19 era, EU health policy would rarely have been the first item on the presidential agenda, but plenty has changed this year...

The current Orphan Regulation was written at a time when nobody could have foreseen how medical science and digital technologies would transform health. The need for future-proofing the Regulation is clear...

At the August 6th Brazda Breakfast briefing, an event sponsored by APCO and hosted by our partner, The Alliance for Health Policy, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci walked over 60 reporters through what we know now about COVID-19, how it spreads, where it is spreading, the status of vaccine development, and most importantly, what we all can and should do to slow the spread...

Two major reforms to the UK’s public health system were announced in recent weeks—refreshed efforts to fight obesity, and the creation of a new body specifically to prevent a second wave of COVID-19. Both announcements represent an evolution, rather than a revolution, but are arguably more interesting for what they say about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s approach to government, and how businesses should engage with his administration...

Watch the discussion of the policy and political ramifications of recent executive orders, how drug pricing actions will resonate considering the pandemic and which of these policies might move forward in 2021...

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed some of the structural weaknesses and inefficiencies of health systems across Europe. This has increased public and political awareness about the need to invest more in health. The way the crisis was handled by national governments particularly fueled discussions about the digitalization of the health sector, in many cases proving that a transition to more digital health services and applications is possible when push comes to shove—at least temporarily...

The COVID-19 crisis has given a boost to those who want the EU to play a bigger role in health. Only time will tell if EU Member States are really willing to take the jump and commit to a true “Europe of Health.”..

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally impacted how health systems and hospitals operate. In a recent roundtable discussion, APCO Worldwide Senior Director Bill Pierce spoke with APCO International Advisory Council Members Kavita Patel and Peter Urbanowicz about what health organizations must do to Come Back Stronger from this crisis...

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, patients will push many healthcare providers out of their comfort zones. Healthcare providers will need to meet the needs of this new normal, be agile and focus on deepening the relationships they have with their patients—or work to establish them—to succeed in both business and in health...

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep countries around the world under lockdown, there is an increased focus on the health sector, from the brave frontline health workers and critical researchers to biopharmaceutical companies and academic institutions racing to find a treatment and vaccine. The pandemic has highlighted, albeit in a painful manner, the critical role of these healthcare professionals in ensuring a healthy, productive society, the continued need for innovation and access to essential health services...

COVID-19 is creating challenges never seen before in many of the nation’s hospital health systems. The new normal is creating a threat to staff health, morale and confidence in their leadership...

New research from APCO Insight explores is how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting Americans’ attitudes and behaviors related to healthcare, measuring their views on the resilience and evolution of healthcare systems and the value of vaccines...

As painful, bewildering and traumatic as the past few weeks have been for businesses and society at large, one thing is clear: what we should really be hoping for is a return to ‘a new normal’—a world where we apply the many learnings of the current crisis and emerge stronger...

If there’s one silver lining to the dark pandemic cloud hanging over all of us, everywhere, it’s that we can apply the rude awakening to our shared vulnerabilities to accelerate a more proactive, preventative and protective approach to health...

New research from APCO Insight shows that concerns about the impact of COVID-19 are high in the Arabian Gulf...

The launch of “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan: Let’s strive for more,” set out to emanate a sense of unity and harmony. Sharing their personal experiences, the EU’s top politicians from both the European Commission and European Parliament became one with other cancer survivors to show that “the personal has become political.”..

While Chinese and global public health officials fight the current coronavirus epidemic, it is important to step back and examine the underlying causes of this outbreak. We are likely to see a continuation of infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics in the future and learning from this epidemic may help prevent or mitigate the impact of future epidemics...

Panelists agreed that the priority should be to ensure Europe’s capacity to compete in AI and to develop a good framework to attract investment, and incentivize industry involvement and innovation in healthcare. ..

In the United States, the issue of how to address prescription drug pricing will certainly be a hot button topic ahead of the 2020 election. The time is now for pharma companies to act and offer real and impactful solutions that help patients, while calling out elements of the healthcare system that create barriers to access in exchange for profit...

Patient consumers are increasingly influencing the future of healthcare. In this competitive and democratized environment, health providers and companies need to become more agile in the way they communicate...

With the global health community closely watching the UN's milestone High-Level Meeting on universal health coverage, Andrei Goldis takes a closer look at the World Health Organization's role in the evolving global healthcare landscape...

In healthcare, change is everywhere, affecting every patient and healthcare provider. More changes are coming, all with very few Rose Garden signing ceremonies. Buckle up for more change in 2020...

AI has a huge potential to revolutionize healthcare, but over-hyping AI can undermine the credibility of the promise...

In a world where companies are desperately trying to attract talent, the bottom line is simple: when employees feel better, they perform better...

While it’s less common to see someone getting praised in the press for their adherence to strict values, every health company we admire has a strong hand at the helm, guiding the company towards more ethical positions and setting an example for employees to make ethical decisions every day...

Cannabis is quickly becoming the “next big thing” on the cusp of breaking through all aspects of society: from medicine and beauty to food and beverages. Here are three key elements for brands and communication professionals to consider when prepping for its U.S. market entry...

Businesses across the region and around the world are looking to Europe with a keen eye on its future. APCO’s team of experts shares insights on the future of various European sectors...

At APCO’s recent Brazda Breakfast Briefing, health care experts, along with two former administrators for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, took questions from reporters about “Medicare for All” proposals...

There are reasons to be optimistic and excited about the promise of machine learning in medicine, but the path and speed towards wider implementation is hard to predict...

Now that the EU's 'Strategic Approach to Pharmaceuticals in the Environment’ Communication is here, what should the pharmaceutical sector expect?..

To better understand the future of health care, members of APCO’s global team took a closer look at the industry and shared analysis on the issues that will define the sector moving forward...

The reality is that companies in the business of health have their purpose built-in: they exist to generate health. The question their leaders need to ask themselves is not how do we define our purpose but rather, how do we deliver on it? ..

To better understand the future of health care, and the challenges the industry faces, we surveyed a select group of 18 members of APCO’s International Advisory Council (IAC) and Health Advisory Board (HAB)...

When it comes to understanding what could happen in health care over the next two years, the guiding principle is maybe. Maybe the two sides will come together on a modest package of changes to federal law, or maybe they won’t. ..

Health is always undergoing change – what is new today, will certainly be old by tomorrow. Actors in the industry need to understand how patient preferences are evolving and driving innovation...

Two in three Americans (65%) believe health companies are making a positive impact on society, according to an APCO Insight poll. We took a closer look to investigate and understand what – and who – is driving this hopeful view...

Population health has become a pivotal strategic focus for health systems and large provider organizations in the United States as they strive to improve quality of care and reduce costs for the entire patient care journey and focus on maintaining health and well-being of the patient population through preventative care - not just acute care...

Majority of U.S. health care providers and opinion-leading consumers say single-payer system will lead to rationing of access to health care...

After nearly a decade of the French government trying to steadily decrease the price of drugs, it goes without saying that Emmanuel Macron’s pro-business program was eagerly anticipated by the pharmaceutical industry...

Health care providers (HCPs)are acutely aware of the impact of socio-political shifts on costs of care, which makes salient how HCPs view the "patient as partner" model. ..

There is a middling of morale amongst health care providers, leaving questions about the future sustainability of the profession...

APCO Insight engaged health care providers (HCP) to understand how recent changes have impacted these individuals and where they see the industry heading...

Health care consumerism is an important and rising trend in health care. Yet, a new study in Health Affairs has thrown a dose of harsh reality into the expectation that we are on the verge of shifting to a consumer-driven marketplace in health care...

As people participate in decisions about their care, the days of patients passively receiving treatment plans are over. ..

Our Doctors and Nurses are Tired: What does that Mean for the State of Health Care?..

Marginalizing the medical profession could undermine the quality of patient care...

Research by APCO Insight shows stakeholders are generally skeptical about the shift from volume to value except for policy leaders..

As UK Prime Minister Theresa May was battling with changes in her Government late into the evening of Monday 9 July, after both her Foreign Secretary and her Brexit Secretary resigned in protest over her ’soft’ Brexit plans, it was confirmed that Matt Hancock would step into Jeremy Hunt’s shoes as the new Secretary of State for Health...

According to research conducted by APCO Insight, health care providers are particularly harsh in their assessment of the quality of care...

This year, against the backdrop of rising populist sentiment, the pharmaceutical industry has had to confront a uniquely hostile socio-political environment...

First, hats off to House Leadership for sticking with it and not giving up on their pledge to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA)...

Why is it so hard to pass a repeal and replace plan now that they have control of the White House and both chambers of Congress? Particularly when the President seems unconcerned about what they pass, just that they pass something so he can check it off on his list of accomplishments. The answer is both simple and complicated...

Health care in the United States is a $2.8 trillion, rapidly-changing and increasingly complex industry. ..

Danish pharmaceutical executives read President Donald Trump's tweets with great trepidation. And there is a very good reason for that...

The FDA ain’t broke, and it doesn’t need much fixin’. This is a message that is being delivered to the Trump administration from all stakeholders including the regulated industry itself, which hopefully will fall on open ears...

The latest report from the National Audit Office (NAO) focuses on the success, or otherwise, of efforts to integrate health and social care and specifically the £5.3billion Better Care Fund...

What are the implications of this new challenging, turbulent environment for health care communications?..

When we spoke with NPs, every one said they believe in patient empowerment – and that involving patients in treatment plans improves compliance and outcomes...

Here is what we expect to be important for multinationals navigating China’s business and policy landscapes in 2018. ..

Taking a look at some of the more comprehensive global assessments and scorecards regarding health and medicine published in 2015 and 2016...

We found that more than half believe prevention and wellness plays a strong role in their day-to-day practice...

Today more than ever, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly dependent on collaboration with patients. ..

Five major trends that will likely continue to transform health care and health care PR. ..

There are a couple of truisms that are important as we evaluate the nomination of Tom Price as HHS secretary and Seema Verma as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services...

In what was not a surprise, Republicans gained control of the U.S. Senate and gained enough House seats to have a near historic majority. What was a surprise to most, though not all was the number of seats gained in the Senate...

The food and agriculture industries are incredibly important parts of the U.S. and world economies. Food and agriculture exports are critical to farm incomes in the United States and in many parts of the developing world. Open markets for agriculture goods are especially critical for importing countries in the developing world as these countries, which for a variety of reasons are not self-sufficient in food production, seek to provide a reliable source of food and nutrition for their citizens...

Denmark is exploring a new health care reform that may lead to a more integrated health care system with better continuity for patients along all aspects of the patient journey – health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, care and rehabilitation...

Given the 2018 landscape and potential 2019 Congressional composition and agenda, here are three ways health care associations and their member companies should be preparing now...

Are we returning to a more “regular order?” Recent developments at HHS provide a partial explanation why the health care agenda has calmed somewhat despite the continued disorder in other areas of government...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is setting a remarkable record for new drug approvals in 2018. As of November 1, 2018, 47 new drugs were approved by the FDA exceeding the previous record in 2017 of 46 new drugs. ..

With the results of the national election in, starting in 2019, Democrats will lead the U.S. House of Representatives. So, what does that mean for healthcare?..

2018 was a long year. Many global businesses are ill prepared for an increasingly challenging global regulatory environment, to respond to complex social issues and especially to geopolitical threats and political uncertainty. But those that are better prepared, will be better insulated from unforeseen global shocks...

As the global business and political communities prepare to turn the page to 2019, APCO’s team of global experts took a closer look at trends in areas key to businesses and our clients...

Is it possible to change someone’s health behaviors simply through communications?..

As planned, the Danish conservative government last week published its proposal for a new health care reform in Denmark called "Patient First," intended to make the health care system in Denmark more patient-focused, better connected and with advanced quality of care and improved patient rights. ..