Digital health executives on their biggest takeaways from 2024, part one

MobiHealthNews asked executives from across the digital health industry – in places from Fortune 500 companies to emerging startups – to share their biggest takeaways from 2024. Their responses highlight a diverse range of perspectives and insights.

In part one of this two-part series on the biggest takeaways of the year, explore executives’ thoughts on key trends, including the growing focus on women’s health, the rise of generative AI, the availability of GLP-1 medications and shifts in the investment landscape.

Dr. Michael Howell, chief clinical officer at Google

2024 was the year when generative AI moved from the world of research into the real world. We saw that across sectors in healthcare this year, from new basic science approaches to drug discovery, AI-enhanced health search tools, AI scribes, radiology, public health and more. And, of course, we are seeing a thriving startup community focused on advancing healthcare with AI, both generally and in key areas like mental health.

We also saw an almost bewildering rate of progress in the technical capabilities of AI – moving from text multimodal to real-time audio and video – as well as capabilities in health, such as AMIE and Med-Gemini.

Additionally, we continue to see thoughtful work on critical issues in responsible AI, such as health equity and safety principles. AI holds great promise in democratizing access to healthcare and expertise, but we must ensure these technologies are developed in a responsible way, allowing AI to be a powerful force for key issues like health equity and improving health outcomes for everyone, everywhere. 

Roland Rott, president and CEO of imaging at GE HealthCare

One of the most encouraging trends I witnessed in my first few months as GE HealthCare’s new CEO of Imaging was both the quantity and quality of new AI-powered imaging products and solutions spanning MRI, computer tomography, oncology and beyond.

Innovators are delivering clearer images, better insights and earlier diagnoses when a disease is still in a more treatable stage. At the same time, we’re seeing powerful demonstrations of how advanced automation can free technologists from the demands of monotonous, repetitive button-pushing that hinders their ability to interact, empathize and listen to the patient in front of them who may be experiencing anxiety or other mental health reactions.

Ruby Gadelrab, CEO of MDisrupt

2024 has been a year of recalibration for the digital health sector. One of the most notable trends was the significant consolidation in the industry. With point solution fatigue becoming prevalent and fundraising conditions more challenging, many companies are seeking partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions to stay competitive and deliver more comprehensive offerings.

At MDisrupt, a key shift we’ve observed is that companies serious about disrupting healthcare are recognizing the value of healthcare insiders. This is particularly prevalent among second-time founders. They’re engaging clinicians, health system leaders and payor experts earlier in their product development process. This move ensures that solutions are more aligned with the realities of the healthcare system, making them more likely to succeed in scaling.

Women’s health has continued to grow as a focal point, with an inspiring wave of new companies addressing gaps in this space that are beyond fertility. However, funding opportunities remain disproportionately limited compared to the demand and innovation happening, signaling an ongoing need to advocate for equitable support in this critical area.

Mudit Garg, CEO and cofounder of Qventus 

Reducing the burden of below license logistical tasks on healthcare workers has never been more urgent. We are facing looming labor shortages, estimated at one million too few nurses by 2030, and nearly 50% of provider time is spent on administrative tasks below-license. 

In 2024, health systems recognized behind-the-scenes solutions like automating archaic processes and reducing administrative burdens. 2025 will mirror what we saw this past year: the solutions that can seamlessly integrate with existing EHRs and workflows and deliver measurable ROI will continue to gain the most traction. 

Brooke Boyarsky Pratt, CEO and cofounder of knownwell 

Many weight loss companies have begun compounding GLP-1s despite them not being FDA-tested for safety and efficacy. The sale of these medications via asynchronous survey – rather than through direct interaction with a healthcare provider – is another example of how some have put aside the long-term health of patients for short-term benefits.

While providing these medications digitally expands reach and allows individuals who could not otherwise access the drugs to use them, many companies are providing these medications without proper support and without confirmation of patient-provided medical information. We fear that this trend will put patient safety at risk. 

Despite the effective outcomes of GLP-1s, including many proven practical uses outside of metabolic health, most leading private insurers still refuse to cover the medicines given the cost. For those plans that do cover GLP-1s, many employer and payor-focused solutions are now promising a nine to 12-month “off-ramp” for all patients taking the medications (despite the evidence suggesting that most patients cannot keep weight off with this approach). We’ve noticed an increased interest in these offerings, which we fear will impact patient health in the long term. We hope that with improved access and pricing, this need dissipates. 

Lisa Suennen, managing partner at American Heart Association Ventures

We still have a long way to go to figure out how and where technology is ready for adoption in healthcare. There is a deep ambivalence about this and such a great barrier from misaligned incentives that we continue to move glacially on the digital front. 

We may see widespread changes in who has insurance and what kind over the coming year, and our health system is unprepared for that – we have spent the last 16 years adding people to the system of coverage and the contraction, if it occurs, will hit hard. If it happens, we will have much disruption across the board. 

On the positive side, we have finally moved the needle on attention to women’s health issues, and particularly those beyond reproductive health. There is an increasing recognition of the importance of caring for different genders differentially, and that is a big market opportunity as well as the right thing to do.

Neil Patel, head of new ventures at Redesign Health

The venture landscape has shifted dramatically this year. Traditional VCs have become notably selective about early-stage healthcare investments, focusing primarily on AI-enabled companies. The real story is that specialist healthcare funds are now carrying the torch for tech-enabled services – a significant change from the “everyone in healthcare” mentality we saw in previous years. 

Meanwhile, the pace of AI development has been staggering. Major research labs are launching capabilities that would have seemed like science fiction a year ago and healthcare is feeling the impact across every vertical.

Dan Nardi, CEO of Reimagine Care

Our biggest takeaway from 2024 is that the supply and demand mismatch in oncology (and all of healthcare) is only getting worse. Patient demands are as high as ever and there is no indication that the shortage of nurses and providers is going to improve any time soon. At the end of the day, this means that cancer centers will have to find alternative ways to serve their patients, whether by investing in tools and resources to do it themselves, or by partnering with organizations like Reimagine Care that become an extension of the care delivered in the clinic.  

Julia Bernstein, chief operations officer at Brightside Health

One of my big takeaways from 2024 was the accelerating shift in responsibility for mental healthcare. Schools and states made significant progress by adopting models like student health insurance plans with in-network providers, moving away from the traditionally employer-driven approach. 

Policies like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act enabled school-based entities to offer Medicaid assistance more effectively, reflecting a broader trend toward more accessible and localized care.

Another unexpected takeaway was a cultural regression in body positivity, influenced by the widespread adoption of GLP-1 medications. While these drugs have shown promising benefits for physical health, their unintended mental health impacts for some individuals highlight the importance of balancing these outcomes thoughtfully.