Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cyber Firm: Health Care Industry Falls Short In Protecting Consumer Data
CNBC: Health Care Way Behind On Data Security, Cyber Firm Says
Despite high-profile hack attacks, like the Anthem breach in which cybercriminals exposed 80 million medical records, the health-care industry continues to shortchange Americans when it comes to protecting their data. That's the key takeaway from a new cybersecurity report from Forrester. (Taylor, 11/12)
The Associated Press: Rings And Pacifiers: Health Gadgets Get Sophisticated
After the smartphone and fitness bracelet, here comes the smart ring. And the smart pacifier, and smart rollator. "Wellness" computers that monitor your pulse, temperature and other health indicators are becoming increasingly sophisticated and varied to cover every aspect — and age — of human life. Some products, like the ring by Finnish startup Ouraring, are specialized in optimizing physical training by tracking sleep patterns and physical activity. Others are looking to fit into health care services, such as in developed countries that are struggling to cope with aging populations. (Huuhtanen, 11/12)
Marketplace: The Promise And Problems Of Drug-Finding Apps
Nearly half of all employees who get insurance through work now face deductibles of $1,000 or more. That means more and more of us pay for prescription drugs out of our own pockets. (Gorenstein, 11/12)
Kaiser Health News: Depressed? Look For Help From A Human, Not A Computer
Almost 8 percent of Americans 12 and older dealt with depression at some point between 2009 and 2012. With that many of us feeling blue, wouldn’t it be nice if we could simply hop on the computer in our pajamas, without any of the stigma of asking for help, and find real relief? Online programs to fight depression are already commercially available, and while they sound efficient and cost-saving, a study out of the U.K. reports that they’re not effective, primarily because depressed patients aren’t likely to engage with them or stick with them. (Shallcross, 11/12)
