There are many innovations in healthcare being developed and considered that create major opportunities for those in healthcare marketing. In the future, for example, we may see nanotechnology and reasonably priced holographics for diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few innovations that are expected to make a vast difference.
Dengue Vaccine. Dengue is a debilitating virus that’s transmitted through the bite of an Aedes aegypti mosquito that had previously bitten another person already infected with the virus. Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk for dengue fever; it is most common in tropical areas and less-developed countries. Clinical tests are currently being performed on the first drug for treatment of dengue fever. This treatment has shown particular effectiveness with the two worst forms of the virus. There are also more drugs in the pipeline, including one that shows promise of offering immunization for all four forms of dengue fever. Cases have been reported in and close to the United States—Florida, the Texas/Mexico border, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Fifty to 100 million cases of dengue fever are reported every year, with 20,000 of those being fatal.
PCSK9 Inhibitors for Cholesterol Reduction. Cholesterol—a soft, waxy substance present in the body’s cells—serves many important functions. However, too much of the “bad” kind (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein) can be harmful, especially relating to coronary issues. Statins—the most common type of medication to lower LDL levels—are not always successful in lowering LDL to the proper levels. A new class of drugs, known as PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitors, is bringing positive results in patients with elevated LDL levels who were not successful using statins. The result: these patients are showing lower levels of LDL than ever before.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer. According to American Cancer Society estimates for 2015, 233,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will occur among US women, and approximately 63,000 new cases of noninvasive breast cancer (the earliest form) will be reported. Additionally, 40,000 women are projected to die from breast cancer this year. Currently, when surgery is required, the patient is sent home to recover before starting radiation therapy. This therapy generally takes place over several weeks or months, requiring a number of deep recover days in addition to possible travel days. At times, this hardship can lead to some patients shortening or even stopping their treatment. But a new type of treatment, called intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), has been making successful inroads. IORT is administered just after the tumor is excised, while the patient is still undergoing surgery. It also costs approximately one-fifth the amount of traditional radiation treatment. With less time, energy, and cost, IORT increases the patient’s quality of life and chance for a successful outcome.
The world we live in is an amazing place, and these and other healthcare innovations are proof of that. Let’s be part of the faction that helps spread the word about these prospective life-changing innovations.
