CASTLEFORD, England,
September 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
- Survey of 1000 UK residents shows over 55s take personal
responsibility for health, but less likely to use digital
technologies to manage health
- Survey comes on heels of UK government report highlighting
risk of new healthcare technologies failing to reach those
with highest need
- Teva UK - the 'Digital
Zone' sponsor at NHS England's Health
& Care Innovation Expo 2016 -calls for
NHS-patient-industry collaboration in tackling healthcare
generational "digital divide"
Teva UK Ltd. today released results of a UK survey showing that
people over the age of 55 feel in high control of their
health[1] and that over 55s are
more likely than other age groups in the UK to feel it's their
responsibility to influence their own
health.[2] The research, involving
1000 participants in the UK, also indicated UK baby boomers believe
it's important to take care of one's own health to avoid major
health-related expenses in the
future.[2]
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150824/260497LOGO )
But the study also revealed a generational "digital divide" in
attitudes toward managing one's health. Research found that people
over 55 in the UK are least likely of any age group to seek advice
on how to take better control of their
health.[3] They're also least
likely to search for health information online, with only a third
saying they find health information online
dependable.[4] The UK survey also
found that less than half of over 55s surveyed said they actively
seek new information about their
health[2] - despite over 80%
saying it's their responsibility to influence their own
health.[2]
Teva UK has published these findings to coincide with the start
of NHS England's Health & Care Innovation Expo 2016, which
opens today in Manchester. Teva is
serving as NHS England's Digital Zone partner at this year's Expo,
with the aim of sharing experiences, examining best practices, and
understanding drivers and barriers to adopting digital technology
in healthcare.
The Teva UK study also showed that over 55s are the least likely
of any UK age group to agree that technology makes their life
easier.[5] Research indicated UK
baby boomers would be least likely to make use of health tests that
- thanks partly to advances in digital technology - could predict
or prevent certain health conditions: only 11% said they would seek
out tests to predict or prevent conditions they might be prone to
develop due to their genes or
lifestyle.[4] Over 55s were also
sceptical of the potential health impact of wearable technologies
and similar innovations, with only 1 in 5 (22%) believing these
technologies could revolutionise
healthcare.[6] Baby boomers were
also least likely to either own (4%) or consider owning (8%) a
wearable tech device or health
sensor.[7]
Teva believes a key to better health outcomes is
patient-empowerment, backed by digital technologies that support a
sustainable, whole-system approach to healthcare. In commenting on
the study, Kate Smith, Director of
NHS Strategy at Teva UK, said: "We've been working to address baby
boomers' lower rates of engagement with digital technologies. It's
fantastic to see in this new research how empowered baby boomers
feel when it comes to their health. However, the survey shows we
need to do more to educate an older generation of the potential
benefit of new tests, technologies and information now becoming
available thanks to advances in digital health."
News of this generational digital divide in healthcare comes
just eight weeks after the UK government released its foresight
report looking at the challenges and opportunities of an ageing
society. In it, expert advisers warn "there is a risk that the
potential of technologies to support health will not translate to
those with highest need"[8] and
underline that "technology can help to provide the solutions to
challenges faced by the ageing population, and help to realise the
benefits of longer lives."[9]
Reflecting on the government report, Ms. Smith added: "Our study
also revealed some of the challenges highlighted in the UK
government report. That's why we're excited to have the opportunity
to collaborate with NHS England in taking a closer look at the role
of digital in healthcare at this year's NHS Expo."
On day 2 of the conference, Teva UK along with NHS England, will
co-host a panel discussion to explore how to digitally empower
patients and clinicians to drive improved health outcomes. We asked
Juliet Bauer, the newly appointed
Director of Digital Experience at NHS England, who will participate
in the panel discussion, how she feels digital technology can help
deliver better health and care: "Simplicity for the patient is
critical. The health and care system is complicated and confusing
to navigate, and whilst we have some of the best healthcare in the
world, the consumer journey of getting to care is often difficult.
The adoption of digital technology presents us with a very
real opportunity to guide people to the right place, support them
to make the right decisions and transform that consumer
experience. In everyday life we rely on high quality digital
journeys to access services and information we need. In health and
care we have some serious catching up to do. I know the task is
significant but the commitment is clear. The investment in
paperless 2020, the strong partnerships across health and care
organisations, the department of health and industry, all combined
with technology that is evolving…. these are exciting times."
Teva's partnership with NHS England in the Digital Health Zone
at the Health & Care Innovation Expo 2016 forms part of Teva's
strategy of collaborating in digital health with industry,
healthcare providers and patients. The partnership also builds on
Teva's ongoing work in the UK to connect patients with their
healthcare providers through Teva's Patient Support Programmes,
which help patients manage their treatments more effectively by
connecting them to nursing support via an online platform.
References:
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, "Locking in Audiences"
Survey, July 2016, Q 29
- Ibid S 6
- Ibid Q 20
- Ibid Q 7
- Ibid Q 8
- Ibid Q 18
- Ibid Q 5
- Government Office for Science, Future of an Aging Population,
7 July 2016, page 86,
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/535187/gs-16-10-future-of-an-ageing-population.pdf
[accessed 15/08/16]
- Ibid P 98
About Teva UK Limited
Teva UK Limited is one of the UK's top ten pharmaceutical
manufacturers, with a presence in the generics, branded
respiratory, CNS and hospitals markets. It has the widest range of
any UK generic pharmaceutical company and markets solid and liquid
dose, injectable and respiratory medicines to healthcare
professionals. The company is part of Teva Pharmaceutical
Industries Ltd. For more information, visit
http://www.tevauk.com.
About Teva:
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) is a
leading global pharmaceutical company that delivers high-quality,
patient-centric healthcare solutions to millions of patients every
day. Headquartered in Israel, Teva
is the world's largest generic medicines producer, leveraging its
portfolio of more than 1,800 molecules to produce a wide range of
generic products in nearly every therapeutic area. In specialty
medicines, Teva has a world-leading position in innovative
treatments for disorders of the central nervous system, including
pain, as well as a strong portfolio of respiratory products. Teva
integrates its generics and specialty capabilities in its global
research and development division to create new ways of addressing
unmet patient needs by combining drug development capabilities with
devices, services and technologies. Teva's net revenues in 2015
amounted to $19.7 billion. For more
information, visit http://www.tevapharm.com.