Morgan Mathis
By Morgan Mathis on June 05, 2023

Top 3 things you should know from FORTUNE Brainstorm Health 2023

FORTUNE Brainstorm Health 2023

In April, Highwire attended the highly anticipated, invite-only FORTUNE Brainstorm Health conference in Los Angeles.

This annual event is an important opportunity to network with industry leaders, discover future healthcare trends and discuss the challenges of a shifting healthcare landscape with the sector's brightest minds. There's nothing quite like being on the ground with the industry's most influential thought leaders.   

Read on for our top three insights from the 2023 event.

Trend No. 1: AI will play an important role in patient care

Everyone's talking about AI these days, and that was certainly the case on the conference floor. Understandably, compared to other industries, healthcare is more cautious and mindful of the risks of AI.

Considering the direct impact that any major technological change can have on people's lives, AI hype is being met with a healthy dose of skepticism in the healthcare sector. Most speakers agreed that AI needs more regulation to protect patients.

At the same time, patient care is one of the biggest areas of opportunity for the technology’s use. The potential was on display. For example, conference attendees viewed a live demo of a smart stethoscope developed by Eko. It uses AI and machine learning to help diagnose lung and heart disease. 

No one believes AI will replace doctors, but the hope is that it will make healthcare more reliable, build trust in the industry, alleviate administrative tasks and free providers to focus more on delivering the best care. 

Trend No. 2: Healthcare access for women more critical than ever

Discussing healthcare issues with industry thought leaders brought into focus that we are still dealing with women's unmet medical needs across generations, race and economic classes.

With the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, women's health is more important than ever. Maternal health, preventative care for young women and reproductive rights are all areas that need major improvement and innovation — especially in underserved communities. And, while the abortion debate has taken center stage, it's also raised much needed conversations around access, racial bias and gender equity. 

Perhaps one of the most insightful sessions was on “Black Maternal Health: Reversing the Mortality Crisis”. It’s unfathomable to think the US has the highest infant mortality rate of any modern nation. On top of that, compared to White women, Black women are 3X more likely to die from their pregnancy related complications. This is a stark reminder that inequitable care is a grave, systemic issue. 

 

Learn more about Highwire's healthcare practice

 

Trend No. 3: Integrated care is at a crossroads

The relationship between physical health and mental health go hand in hand — an issue brought to the forefront during the pandemic. We saw a strong push for integrated care which provides a more holistic approach that blends behavioral, medical and speciality services.

The pandemic resulted in the broader use of telehealth and actually helped to move the needle on integrated care. But, while technology is an important delivery platform, true integrated mind and body care relies on human interaction between patients and caregivers. Now that most of the pandemic-era emergency order regulations are ending, it’s critical to discuss and introduce new, modern regulations to support and further integrated care. 

One such idea the industry has been grappling with is the move to a value-based care model (VBC) that focuses on patient outcomes and the quality of care provided. This type of model shifts the focus away from volume of care and provider reimbursement is based on patient outcomes and not the number of appointments or tests ordered. This approach can help encourage providers to consider both the mental and physical aspects of health. 

Future outlook

Investments in healthcare have started to return to pre-pandemic levels. This signals hope and optimism about imminent changes and potential transformations across the industry. 

FORTUNE Brainstorm Health energized and excited us to get back to work with our clients. Healthcare businesses are truly shaping our future. We can't wait to deliver news of the latest megatrends to the executives we work with and incorporate the learnings into our communications programs. 

Next Up: FORTUNE Brainstorm Tech

You'll have a chance to see us at another conference soon. Highwire will be in Park City for FORTUNE Brainstorm Tech in July. Drop us a line if you plan on attending or if you're working on a communications strategy for the show. We'd love to partner with you in advance or meet you in person.

Published by Morgan Mathis June 5, 2023
Morgan Mathis