Google affirmed health is a top priority for the tech giant and disclosed what areas of health are its focus, CNBC reported Oct. 21.
Five things to know:
- Karen DeSalvo, MD, chief health officer of Google, told CNBC that Google is "still all in on health" even though it dissolved Google Health in August. Dr. DeSalvo told CNBC that the tech giant still intends to "weave health into everything" it does.
- The company is focusing on four areas: search capabilities, wearables, cloud tools and social determinants of health.
- The tech giant has formed partnerships with major hospital systems using data, artificial intelligence and cloud capabilities with Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare and St. Louis-based Ascension.
- Although Google's technology might be able to enhance healthcare delivery, the company has been scrutinized for its use of deidentified patient data. Its partnership with Ascension, called Project Nightingale, ended prematurely because of the controversy over patient privacy.
- "Users have a right to their data, and it is important for people to know that technology enables [that right]," Dr. DeSalvo told CNBC. "[And] we have to ensure that the business sector of health care respects and understands that we should be sharing that data with consumers, so they have more control over their health."