5 health trends to watch at SXSW 2021 – News – MM+M
SXSW’s much-vaunted health track returns on Tuesday after a COVID-forced hiatus in 2020. For those planning to attend from afar, here are five trends to watch.
Health inequalities
Protests over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and too many others have added even more urgency to an overdue national conversation about systemic racism. And as public health experts have long known, racial inequality has fueled health disparities for centuries.
On Tuesday, Howard University President Dr. Wayne Frederick and the Associate Dean for Public Health Integration at Michigan State University will discuss how public health can’t really begin to improve until racial injustice is eradicated. In their presentation, they plan to investigate the social determinants of health and explain why they do not fully encompass the full extent of the effects of racism on health.
Technology and disability
Other Tuesday panels will explore the use of technology to more effectively treat health issues. One session, led by speakers from Etsy and Fiverr, will look at how tech companies can do more to include people with disabilities in the workforce. Another session, featuring Cur8able Founder Stephanie Thomas and United Spinal Tech Access Initiative Director Brook McCall, will explore the thorny question of why the tech industry has produced so many smart tech products — but barely touched by wheelchairs. They will also discuss how people with disabilities bring innovative perspectives to fashion and technology.
The pivot to digital
Real Chemistry will host a Healthcare Media Lounge on Wednesday and Thursday focused on digital transformation in healthcare. Speakers and sessions will cover topics ranging from the diversity of clinical trials to the need for communications that inspire “confidence in chaos.”
On Wednesday, the organization will present a behind-the-scenes look at Pfizer’s digital communications rollout during the pandemic, led by Ellen Gerstein of Pfizer and Jennifer Gottlieb of Real Chemistry. Another panel, featuring Catherine Chao of the Ad Council and Michele Schimmel of Real Chemistry, will highlight the Ad Council’s recently launched vaccine education campaign.
The long term
As public health experts begin to focus on a post-COVID future, many warn that “normalcy” will take on an entirely new form. At this point on Tuesday, a trio of speakers – Hans Keirstead, CEO of Aivita Biomedial, Mark de Groot, CEO of Pattern Pharma, and Tom Lane, professor at the University of California at Irvine – will present a long-term solution. for the months and years to come.
The Changing Landscape
As the pandemic continues to disrupt every aspect of the US healthcare system, virtual care and other technological advancements have proven to be a rare bright spot. A Tuesday panel, led by Permanent Federation CEO Dr. Richard Isaacs and Jennifer Mieres of Northwell Health, will examine how heavy public health infrastructure has slowed America’s fight against COVID-19 and how the health care system of the country should be restarted in the future.
