To support healthcare professionals in improving adherence, a series of articles has been developped to provide digestible learning resources around the role behavior science plays in adherence, including practical insights relating to therapy areas. The articles provide a useful companion to a series of masterclasses where the subjects of adherence and behavioral science are explored in more depth.
It is said that your “zip code” is a better predictor of health than your genetic code. Where you live often reflects your economic status, availability of jobs, education and training opportunities, as well as your access to healthy food, opportunities to exercise, and healthcare services.5 Medical care is estimated to account for only 10-20%…
Ensuring that patients adhere to their prescribed treatments is one of the most significant challenges in healthcare today. Non-adherence can lead to worsened health outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and higher healthcare costs1. A growing body of evidence suggests that motivating patients to follow their treatments involves a complex interplay of psychological factors2. Among the strategies proposed,…
Biologics, or biological products, encompass a variety of therapeutic agents, including blood, blood components, vaccines, allergenics, cells, gene therapies, and recombinant therapeutic proteins. These products are derived from living organisms such as animals, humans, and microorganisms. Biologics are produced using advanced biotechnological methods and represent significant advancements in the biomedical field, offering treatment for complex…
Medication adherence is a cornerstone of successful treatment outcomes in chronic diseases, particularly in the field of organ transplantation. However, a striking challenge persists: despite the life-saving potential of kidney transplantation, a significant proportion of patients fail to adhere to prescribed immunosuppressive therapies, jeopardizing their long-term health and transplant success1. A recent study conducted in…
Effective communication between physicians and patients is paramount, especially when discussing complex conditions like cancer. Studies have shown that clear patient-doctor communication improves treatment adherence, patient satisfaction, and overall outcomes1. However, explaining intricate biological mechanisms and treatment modalities to patients with varying levels of health literacy can be challenging. Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) involves complex…
Biologics, biologicals, or biotherapeutics are biologically derived protein-based therapeutic agents that differ from chemically synthesized small-molecule drugs in terms of the molecular complexity and production process. Starting with insulin for diabetes treatment, biologicals have transformed the treatments for several common and/or serious diseases.3 Approximately 25% of all newly approved medicines and one in development are…
The 2024 a:care Congress on Medication Adherence and Behavioral Science was a landmark event, setting new standards for global collaboration and innovation in healthcare. Hosted by Abbott, the congress brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and patient advocates to tackle one of the most critical challenges in healthcare: improving medication adherence through behavioral science. This…
The Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) recently published a study by Cho et al. (2024) that highlights the significant economic and health benefits of achieving optimal medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) who require lipid-lowering therapy. This study, part of the a:care Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) program, focuses on…
Diabetes is a major health problem that is growing at an alarming pace1. Globally, 1 in 11 adults has diabetes (90% have Type 2 diabetes mellitus) and its prevalence is expected to increase from 415 to 642 million by 20402. It was the seventh leading cause of death worldwide resulting in the loss of 1.6…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory illness that affected 480 million people or ~10.6% of the adult population globally in 20204. As per the global burden of diseases (GBD, 2013) it is the fifth most common cause of years lost due to disability-adjusted life expectancy. By 2012 it became the third…
Beliefs and misconceptions can turn life-saving medications into life-threatening decisions. Let’s understand with few vaccines’ hesitancy example. Firstly, During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitance, driven by concerns over safety, efficacy, income, education, misinformation, and trust in government, significantly hindered vaccination efforts and prolonged the virus’s circulation4. Secondly, rise in anti-vaccination sentiments surrounding beliefs that vaccines…
In the intricate system of healthcare, medication adherence emerges as a linchpin, weaving together improved health outcomes and heightened efficiency within healthcare systems1. Despite its pivotal role, adherence often remains undervalued or overlooked3. Let’s delve into the profound impact of investing in medication adherence, uncovering its significance beyond individual health to the broader landscape of…
Neurological disorders: A diverse spectrum with complex pathogenesis Neurological disorders (NDs) span a range of conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems, impacting both structure and function1. The global prevalence of NDs is projected to reach 103 million by 20302. These disorders involve progressive loss of neurological function, including dementia, stroke, epilepsy, migraines, brain…
In the relentless pursuit of enhancing patient outcomes, Dr. Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk and colleagues have unveiled findings from a:care Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) study underscoring the transformative power of optimal medication adherence at the 18th Oriental Congress of Cardiology together with the World Congress of Cardiology (OCC-WCC) 2024. The study, conducted by a distinguished…
Understanding medication non-adherence in chronic conditions According to World Health Organization (WHO), chronic condition tend to last longer and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors4. Some of the examples are a depressive disorder; coronary heart disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; diabetes; and high blood pressure1. The long-term nature…
Navigating the global burden of cardio-metabolic diseases: Is AI the solution? Cardio-metabolic diseases, encompassing cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes, are significant contributors to global mortality1. Adhering to medication regimens is noted as crucial for successfully managing cardiovascular disease, as highlighted in our previous article “Medication adherence in cardiovascular disease”. Therefore, integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)…
Medication non-adherence is a pervasive challenge in healthcare, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs1. Motivational interviewing (MI) has emerged as a promising approach to enhance adherence by addressing the psychological barriers to medication compliance. Understanding Motivational Interviewing Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered counseling technique that enhances motivation to change by exploring and resolving…
From tradition to transformation: Navigating the shift In the recent past, traditional face-to-face healthcare model served as the cornerstone of medical practice, with individuals scheduling appointments with their General Practitioners in response to symptoms or for guidance on health concerns1. This approach changed dramatically with the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the…
Non-adherence is a common healthcare problem that derails the population’s health outcomes predicted by the treatment efficacy data. It also leads to the failure in translating the highly expensive and time-consuming process of new drug development5 and results in the wastage of prescribed medications. Non-adherence to medication causes an increase in hospitalizations, follow-up visits, usage…
Understanding medication non-adherence: A barrier to health outcomes Non-adherence to medication remains a huge barrier to achieve most favourable outcomes from prescribed treatment, especially in long-term conditions4. In 2018, a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that failure to adhere to medical advice led to approximately 200,000 premature deaths annually…