People Take Charge of their Health with Help from New Online Services

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One message that remains consistent throughout the debate on health care reform is the government's "ultimate vision" that "all patients are fully engaged in their health care."* A key arena in which this is being addressed is on the Web with health-focused services for consumers.

“Only with personalization will a person be empowered online to take control of their own health care.”

At the opening keynote talk for the World Healthcare Innovation and Technology Conference next week in the Washington D.C area, Adam Bosworth, founder of Keas.com and former head of Google Health, will look at the evolution of online health care and the new technologies and services emerging on the Web today that will to empower individuals to take charge of their health.

Bosworth describes online heath care as having begun with search and the presentation of volumes of information—not always accurate and not at all personalized—followed by the addition of community in which people share health-related experiences and tips—also not always accurate or personalized—and today includes the ability to store personal health data online.

"The critical next step in online health care is personalization. It's the piece that's layered on top of a person's unique health indicators, delivering information and action plans customized to meet the person's specific health and wellness needs," says Bosworth, "Only with personalization will a person be empowered online to take control of their own health care."

A technology innovator whose accomplishments include guiding the development of XML, Microsoft Access, Microsoft IE and Google Health, Bosworth launched his company Keas last month specifically to introduce personalization into the online health care experience.

Keas.com (http://www.keas.com) is an interactive service that enables the best medical minds in healthcare to provide individuals with ongoing advice and interpretation about their unique health data—such as lab results and current conditions—and help them take action to achieve their health goals. Keas partner Quest Diagnostics delivers lab results directly into Keas, while partners including Healthwise, CVS MinuteClinic, DiabetesMine and Dr. Greene Pediatrics provide highly personalizable Keas Care Plans.

Keas.com offers online health care personalization through the following means:

Keas Care Plans—Medical experts author and publish health and wellness plans designed to factor in an individual's personal health data. Keas Care Plans can address anything from long-term health issues such as diabetes and heart health to more acute needs such as pediatric issues and the H1N1 virus.

Tracking, interpreting and explaining personal health indicators (such as lab results)—More than a repository for static health data, Keas interprets and explains in plain English what an individual's health data means for them.

Personal dashboard—The dashboard provides a graphical indication about whether an individual's health status registers in the red, yellow or green zone and also provides regular action items and alerts to help them get into and stay in the healthy green.

Community—Coming soon, people will be able to connect with others like themselves to share their health experiences and advice with one another.

Adam Bosworth will be speaking at the World Healthcare Innovation and Technology Conference in Alexandria, Virginia on Monday, November 9 at 8:00 a.m. His topic is "Healthcare Innovation – Patients Taking Charge of Their Health."

* “Meaningful Use: A Definition” Recommendations from the Meaningful Use Workgroup to the Health IT Policy Committee June 16, 2009