Continua Health Alliance Expands Web-based Services in Japan; World’s First Continua-Certified Mobile Phone to be Unveiled

Continua Certified Web-based Healthcare Services and First Continua Certified™ Mobile Phone to be Unveiled at Digital Healthcare Plaza, CEATEC Japan 2010

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Japan Workgroup of Continua Health Alliance®, an international non-profit industry organization dedicated to improving the quality of personal connected health, this week will demonstrate the latest Continua Certified™ healthcare products and services at “CEATEC Japan 2010,” an exhibition for the newest IT and electronics technologies, beginning Wednesday, October 6 in Makuhari Messe, Tokyo. Continua companies will showcase a variety of services benefiting general health management, female health management, elderly care, nursing, and fitness at the Digital Health Care Plaza. Rick Cnossen, president and chair of the Alliance, will deliver a keynote presentation on the Vision of Continua Health Alliance ICT-enabled "Connected" Healthcare on October 8.

“Allowing consumers the opportunity to manage their own health helps to reduce healthcare costs, allows greater independence for seniors, and can help manage—and sometimes prevent—chronic illnesses.”

The World’s first Continua Certified mobile phone, created using Continua’s design guidelines, will also be unveiled this week at CEATEC. The new mobile phone will manage and transfer health data collected by healthcare equipment that is also Continua Certified.

“Japan has a strong interest in the health of its residents,” said Rick Cnossen, president and chair, Continua Health Alliance. “Allowing consumers the opportunity to manage their own health helps to reduce healthcare costs, allows greater independence for seniors, and can help manage—and sometimes prevent—chronic illnesses.”

Continua-compliant health management devices and online services make it easier for consumers to manage their own health. Consumers can obtain electronic personal health data from a variety of Continua Certified devices, from weight scales and blood pressure monitors to personal computers (PCs) and mobile phones. Individuals can easily manage their health from home by accessing their stored personal health data via the online services and applications Continua will be demonstrating at CEATEC.

“For over thirty years, businesses have increased productivity and competitiveness by utilizing information and communication technologies,” said Kazumasa Yoshida, President, Intel K.K. “Similarly, we are able to more effectively solve serious issues facing modern Japanese society, such as the aging population and chronic disease, by maximizing the use of computers and broadband Internet. New healthcare technologies and services will be created through the collaboration of Japanese healthcare companies and we have great expectations that these new technologies and services will become the next model for a new healthcare system.”

About Continua

Continua Health Alliance is a non-profit, open industry coalition of healthcare and technology companies joining together in collaboration to improve the quality of personal healthcare. With more than 230 member companies around the world, Continua is dedicated to establishing a system of interoperable personal health solutions with the knowledge that extending those solutions into the home fosters independence, empowers individuals and provides the opportunity for truly personalized health and wellness management. For more information visit: www.continuaalliance.org.