Home Healthcare Data

As healthcare costs continue to rise, there has been increasing attention placed on preventative and wellness-based interventions to reduce the burden on the healthcare system. However, implementing these programs at scale is challenging due to the lack of reliable data proving their long-term cost-effectiveness. Policymakers need concrete evidence to justify funding decisions, and this is where gaps in current data present a major hurdle [1].

Reports from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the ASPE stress that cost-benefit analyses are critical for supporting public health interventions, but the available data is often insufficient. Programs aimed at aging populations, such as those supporting aging in place, need better evaluations to demonstrate their value in reducing costs related to hospitalizations and long-term care facilities. Without this data, policymakers are hesitant to allocate funds despite potential benefits ​[2,3].

The Healthy Home Lab: A Data-Driven Regional Solution

One example of how data collection can inform policy is the Healthy Home Lab at the University of Pittsburgh [4]. Zachary Roy, a research engineer at the lab, notes, “Our goal is to use real-world data to develop actionable, evidence-based solutions that can be scaled.” The lab, backed by a $1 million HUD grant, brings the best available science into home settings to maximize health, independence and safety.

Working with community advocacy programs, the team also creates comprehensive health and environmental assessments to help people live independently and safely at home. Their goal is to build scalable solutions that can eventually be funded through insurance coverage, Medicaid or Medicare programs. The Healthy Home Lab’s work includes testing technologies like indoor air quality monitors and smart home devices that can prevent falls. These interventions are then trialed in real-world situations in local homes, and the lab collects data to measure the improvements in health outcomes.​

Early Successes and Partnerships

While the lab is still in its early stages, it is seeing early promise with projects like fall detection and activity monitoring through commercially available smart home devices. The integration of Amazon Alexa and Google home products with medical alert systems may allow seniors to live independently while providing healthcare providers with real-time data on potential risks. These real-world applications of existing technology offer a practical approach to reducing hospitalizations​ [5].

For these programs to scale, broader partnerships are essential. Collaboration between public health agencies, healthcare providers and private tech companies is needed to develop the infrastructure necessary for widespread implementation​. The Healthy Home Lab’s work is a promising example of how these partnerships can come together to produce data-driven, cost-effective solutions that benefit both individuals and the broader healthcare system.

Next Steps: Scaling the Solutions

As government bodies like HHS and the CDC call for more data to guide funding decisions, the Healthy Home Lab is helping to bridge the gap between research and policy. If successful, their work could drive significant changes in how healthcare services are delivered to aging populations across the country.

Cited:
[1] CDC Report on Cost-Benefit of Preventative Care: https://www.cdc.gov/policy/paeo/researchandanalysis/docs/oadp_fact-sheet_preventingdisease.pdf
[2] HHS Statement on Data Collection for Policy: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/09/15/administration-calls-for-better-data-for-public-health-policies.html
[3] A Review and Analysis of Economic Models of Prevention Benefits | ASPE (hhs.gov)
[4] Healthy Home Lab Background and Funding: https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/news/pitt-s-healthy-home-lab-receives-1-million-hud-grant-develop-technology-enabled-solutions
[5] Initial Success Stories and Fall Detection Initiatives: https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/news/healthy-home-lab