Watching your heart beat on a cell phone, just the beginning!
Sometimes seeing is believing. If you do not believe that wireless technology will transform medicine then I recommend you check out the following presentation by Dr. Eric Topol. Dr. Tripol is a researcher Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla and is Vice Chairman of the Board/Chief Innovation Officer at the West Wireless Health Institute.
In his presentation, Dr. Topol discusses several of the technologies currently being used and how wireless technologies can help the lives of millions of people. Just one example from his presentation is his “Top 10 Targets for Wireless Medicine” listed here.
| Disease | No. Affected | Wireless Solution |
| Alzheimer’s | 5 M | Vital signs, location, activity, balance |
| Asthma | 23 M | RR, FEV1, Air quality, pollen count |
| Breast cancer | 3 M | Ultrasound Self-Exam -->Web |
| COPD | 10 M | RR, FEV1, Air quality, oximetry |
| Depression | 21 M | Med Compliance, Activity, Communication |
| Diabetes | 24 M | Glucose, Hemoglobin, A1C |
| Heart Failure | 5 M | Cardiac pressures, weight, BP, fluid status |
| Hypertension | 74 M | Continuous BP, Med compliance |
| Obesity | 80 M | Smart Scales, Glucose, Caloric in/out, Activity |
| Sleep Disorders | 40 M | Sleep phases, quality, apnea, vital signs |
| Source: Presentation by Dr. Eric Topol. | ||
You can view his entire presentation below.
CCW Commentary: Innovations like these flourish in an environment that encourages investment and rewards creativity. This is one example of medical science meeting wireless broadband technology to enhance people’s lives by giving them the opportunity to participate in their own health care in the 21st century. If we encourage investment and limit needless government restrictions, the possibilities for the health care industry and others are endless.
In addition, he recently did a question and answer session with the San Diego Union-Tribute, which can be viewed here.
Vote for your favorite video in the CCW U-Video Scholarship Challenge
Have you had a chance to view the creative videos that have been submitted for the CCW U-Video Scholarship Challenge? Please take a moment to watch the videos and vote for your favorite. Your votes will determine who wins one of the $1000 college scholarships being awarded by CCW.
Deadline to vote is September 21, 2009.
You can vew the videos at: http://www.connectedwest.org/uvideo
Cable and Video Reform Legislation – A Trend Sweeping the Country
Over the past two years, eighteen states across the country have passed and enacted statewide laws to encourage more competition in the cable television industry, or have had opinions issued by the state Attorney General affirming that new entrants in the cable market do not have to obtain separate agreements from each municipality in the state in order to start offering consumers new choices and services in cable television.
This sweeping trend started when phone companies and smaller providers tried to enter the cable TV market but were stifled by outdated laws and regulations that made it difficult to compete. Cable franchising laws required, and in some states still require, companies to obtain individual agreements with each municipality in the state before they can start serving consumers. That process is overly time-consuming, cumbersome and outdated. It would be akin to saying Starbucks would have to sign an agreement with every town before it could serve one cup of coffee.
The old cable franchising process blocks competition and denies consumers the benefits of new choices, lower prices and better service. In today’s day and age, companies are rapidly developing innovative new products in the cable TV arena and consumers are demanding new choices. In order for consumers to quickly realize the benefits of competition in the cable TV market, the laws need to be reformed to welcome and encourage new entrants in the market.
The results of cable and video reform legislation have been tremendous. Consumers are now benefiting from more choices, lower prices and better service in states that have reformed their laws.
Click here to read more about the benefits of video reform legislation in a study by the Reason Foundation titled “Better Prices and Better Services for More People: Assessing the Outcomes of Video Franchise Reform.”