The American Heart Association (AHA) is leading the charge in integrating technology into healthcare. Their Strategically Focused Health Technologies and Innovation Research Network has funded projects worth over $14 million to revolutionize digital solutions for heart and brain health.
James A. Weyhenmeyer, Ph.D., an AHA volunteer and former vice president for research at Auburn University, acknowledges the challenges in tech adoption in healthcare, such as trust issues and concerns about relevance and ease of use. However, he sees an opportunity for the research community to bridge these gaps.
The Network’s funded projects, highlighted in a special issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association, span institutions like Boston University, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins University and more
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine developed a smartphone application, “EyePhone,” which aids in diagnosing strokes by detecting specific eye movements. The University of Michigan focused on enhancing communication in cardiac rehabilitation programs through a text message-based mobile health intervention. Tulane University’s research team explored smartphone-based cognitive assessments as a non-invasive alternative to traditional tests for identifying dementia.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital introduced a point-of-care echocardiography approach to improve cardiac screening access for American Indian populations in remote settings. Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, explored the potential of artificial intelligence in detecting rheumatic heart disease through machine learning. Northwestern University’s study on a mobile health intervention for high blood pressure highlighted the need for a tailored approach to recruitment, especially for racially and economically diverse participants.
These diverse projects signify a leap forward in leveraging digital technology for cardiovascular health. They promise to improve health metrics and reduce healthcare costs by actively engaging patients in self-care and prevention. The road ahead involves refining these solutions to ensure they are evidence-based, accessible, and user-friendly for both healthcare professionals and patients. The AHA’s commitment to this transformative journey signals a new era in healthcare, where technology takes centre stage in the pursuit of better heart and brain health for all.
