More than a decade ago, I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Annually, more than and a substantial number of men worldwide are diagnosed with this disease. It is the second most prevalent form of cancer and the for women. I am one of the fortunate ones; I had access to high-quality, regular preventative health care, excellent medical professionals, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment options early on. Many do not. While genetics also plays a role, an early diagnosis for me meant less invasive treatment and a better chance of recovery and continued good health.
Many socio-economic, environmental, systemic, genetic, physiological, and mental health contribute to health outcomes. Access to high-quality medical care in a timely fashion, provided by caring, well-trained professionals, is, of course, a critical but not the only cornerstone of wellness and recovery. Innovations in digital health solutions are making it possible to expand access to, and increase the efficiencies and effectiveness of, health care鈥攅ven, or especially, in the face of shortages of nurses and doctors.
We are seeing a growing digitization of the healthcare sector, impacting not only health care professionals but also allied workers in healthcare systems, employers at large, and end users. Just like in every other field, artificial intelligence-based technologies are shaping the healthcare sector of today and tomorrow. From personal, patient-facing technologies that allow us to track our heart rates, sleep, and nutrition patterns to large-scale management of electronic records and health data, health tech impacts not only individuals but also societal healthcare and health outcomes. This is one reason why McGill University鈥檚 School of Continuing Studies is launching an online graduate certificate in Digital Health Solutions. Designed to equip managers and others with the theories, tools, and techniques to integrate digital health into their contexts, the graduate certificate will address the challenges that AI and other rapidly evolving technologies pose for change management and data governance in healthcare.
Digital health solutions are not a cure for cancer, but they may facilitate earlier or more accurate diagnoses for more people when deployed properly. As we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I hope we can all do our part to ensure that digital health solutions lead to better healthcare and health outcomes鈥攏ot just for individuals affected by breast cancer, but for society at large, regardless of geography, financial means, or socio-economic status.