Resource Center

The use of remote monitoring devices among physicians has doubled to 30% — a 150% increase since 2016.¹ While the rise of technology utilization in healthcare is promising, the industry’s digital transformation is far from over. As organizations continue to integrate digital health solutions into clinical workflows, they must also expand their understanding of everything digital health has to offer, including its ability to:

• Enhance data collection and patient stratification to improve access to quality care

Health disparities in respiratory care continue to disproportionately affect low-income individuals, people of color, and those living in areas with poor air quality. With new requirements from NCQA, HEDIS, and CMS, maintaining equal access to quality care has become of even greater importance for healthcare systems.

Propeller Health and ResMed presented several abstracts at the ATS 2023 International Conference in Washington D.C. on May 19-24, many of which examined the economic impact of respiratory diseases and how poor air quality contributes to disproportionate rates of asthma and COPD among vulnerable patient populations. Read brief summaries of each abstract below or click the links to view them online.

The economic and health burden of COPD in North America: Forecasting through 2050

Analyzing national administrative claims data can provide insights into patient behaviors and outcomes, which clinical teams can leverage to develop more personalized treatment plans and improve outcomes among high-risk patients.

Propeller Health and ResMed presented several abstracts at the ATS 2023 International Conference in Washington D.C. on May 19-24, many of which used asthma- and COPD-related administrative claims data to better understand trends in healthcare resource use as well as predictors of adherence and exacerbations among COPD and asthma patients. Read brief summaries of each abstract below or click the links to view them online.

Characteristics, healthcare resource use, and costs among high-risk patients with COPD in the United States

Using digital technology, clinical teams have new opportunities to capture accurate, real-time patient data and leverage medically actionable insights to improve the delivery of care and provide more personalized services.

Propeller Health and ResMed presented several abstracts at the ATS 2023 International Conference in Washington D.C. on May 19-24, many of which examined how enhanced patient data collection can lead to improved clinical outcomes among asthma and COPD patients. Read brief summaries of each abstract below or click the links to view them online.

Adherence to controller therapy among patients with severe asthma enrolled in a 6-month digital intervention

After plateauing for a few years, the number of ACOs is rising. There are currently 132 ACOs participating in ACO Reach¹ and there has been a 30% increase in MSSP ACOs taking on two-sided risk since 2020.² But as the number of ACOs increases, so does the number of critical challenges they face:

• Improving clinical efficiency: ACOs must be able to stratify their patient population and employ disease-specific interventions.

Health disparities are widening — especially in respiratory care.

According to research from JAMA Internal Medicine, over a 40-year period — 1978 to 2018 — pediatric asthma rates among children from lower socioeconomic households increased nearly 400% — 210% more than the prevalence among children from wealthier homes. Similarly, COPD prevalence among low-income Americans rose by nearly 57% — 270% more than COPD rates among people from high-income families.¹

To help combat these socioeconomic disparities, ACO REACH models and requirements from NCQA, HEDIS, and CMS are enforcing stringent measurements to ensure all patients have equal access to quality care. With these updates, it’s now more important than ever for health systems — and their bottom lines — to prioritize equity. Here’s how digital therapeutics can help:

It’s no secret that health systems are feeling strained, with 47% of physicians experiencing symptoms of clinician burnout.¹ An overwhelming amount of clinical data, jam-packed days with little time to connect with patients, and a lengthy list of responsibilities are leaving healthcare professionals feeling drained.

Clinician exhaustion can lead to reduced job satisfaction, increased turnover, and a decrease in the quality of care provided to patients. But burnout isn’t only harmful to teams — it can also cause financial strain on health systems. According to a study by the Annals of Internal Medicine, clinician exhaustion accumulates approximately $4.6 billion in costs due to turnover and reduced clinic hours.²

But when health systems use digital tools the right way, they can reduce the risk of clinician burnout and increase patient care coordination.

Today marks an incredible milestone: Propeller Health’s 13th birthday. What began as a quest to solve a public health problem has turned into a global precision digital health company driving meaningful, measurable change in the industry. 

Recognizing early on that creating value for all parties in health – health systems, clinicians, payers, and pharmaceutical companies – is essential in order to drive sustainable change, we’ve spent the past 13 years pioneering innovative solutions that always keep the patient at the center. Our story is one of hard work, dedication, collaboration, and above all, a mission to uplift every person living with a chronic disease so they can breathe easier, stay healthier, and live better lives. 

Propeller was founded on the heels of a then-mysterious string of asthma attacks in Barcelona in the 1980s. It took 8 years for experts to identify soybean dust – not yet recognized as an allergen – as the trigger. One CDC disease detective envisioned a better way to monitor public health: by using technology to track medication usage and symptoms. With this mission, Propeller was born. 

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) has accepted five abstracts examining the latest data from Propeller Health and ResMed.

Our findings on asthma care, which include analyzing the direct and indirect cost-savings associated with a digital intervention in uncontrolled asthma, will be presented at the AAAAI Annual Meeting on February 24-27. Read brief summaries of each abstract below or click the links to view them online.

Direct and indirect cost-savings associated with a digital intervention in uncontrolled asthma: A literature-based estimate

Most people’s breathing is impacted by at least a few different things, which are called triggers. There may be times when you notice that you’re not breathing as well as you’d like to be. You may cough or feel out of breath. These reactions to triggers are called symptoms, and they aren’t random. Here we’ll focus on triggers, why they matter and how we can help you figure out your triggers so you can better prepare for the day ahead.

What are triggers?

A disruption to your schedule can easily throw off your adherence to your medication. You stop being able to take your dose in the morning, and suddenly you’re not taking it at all — and your symptoms are getting worse. Here are three tips to take your dose even when your schedule changes.

1. Be intentional about changing your medication schedule.

If you have pollen allergies and asthma, the spring months can be quite a burden. Allergies can trigger asthma symptoms, causing wheezing, cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath.  Here are five tips to manage your allergies during the spring months and avoid preventable asthma exacerbations. 

If you have asthma or COPD, you may have noticed that cold weather affects your ability to breathe. This may happen because cold air dries and irritates the airways, increasing inflammation and making it harder for you to breathe. You may find that you cough, wheeze or feel breathless more often when it’s cold outside. It’s not always possible to stay inside all winter, so we’ve put together a few tips on how to manage your asthma and COPD during the colder months.

Around half of Americans set a New Year’s Resolution, but fewer than 10 percent keep them. This year, set a resolution you can stick to with Propeller’s help.

2020 has been a tough year. Which is all the more reason to look forward to our annual celebration of family and food. Thanksgiving is a chance to come together and take stock of our good fortunes. But travelling, stress and even some foods can trigger asthma and COPD symptoms (plus COVID-19 is still a big concern). Read on to prepare… Advice for a safe and happy Thanksgiving

Ahhhh, October! The month of ghouls, goblins and pumpkin spice everything. From big cities to tiny towns, Halloween is a favorite holiday of kids of all ages. But, like everything else, trick-or-treating is going to look different this year. Here’s some advice on keeping Halloween spooky and safe.

All About Halloween and COVID-19

The Washington Post has an article in their Parenting section (though we think it’s good advice for anyone who loves Halloween) called, Should kids go trick-or-treating during a pandemic? Experts share their advice.

Yoga is an ancient practice that has become very popular in the U.S. over the past few years. Yoga combines poses (called asanas) along with breathing exercises and meditation. People practice yoga to stay fit, flexible and grounded. But can a yoga practice help people with asthma?

The Quick Take

There is some evidence showing that yoga may help people with asthma have a better quality of life. But there just hasn’t been enough research to say if yoga can help relieve or manage asthma symptoms.

Typically, this time of the year is all about back to school sales, labor day barbecues and the start of football season. But, things are different this year. We are making some progress controlling the spread of COVID-19. But as people start spending more time indoors, there’s concern about a second wave of infections. What does this mean for people with asthma?

The Quick Take

The best chance we have to get a handle on COVID-19 is by following the advice of local health officials. They’re most informed about the needs of particular communities, and different places are in different phases of reopening.”