Digital Health

Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University and IBM Research unveiled a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot July 1 that the two organizations developed to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. 

Google updated its application programming interface June 30 so that developers from healthcare organizations and government agencies can create digital versions of COVID-19 vaccination or test records. 

Recuro has acquired MyLegacy, a clinical decision-making support application, which was developed by the Cleveland Clinic Genomic Medicine Institute.

The first quarter of 2021 was digital health's most-funded quarter to date, and investors continued the trend in the second quarter by pledging high dollar amounts to technology-driven health startups.

While some states like New York and Hawaii have rolled out smartphone-based programs for digital proof of vaccination status, more states have banned the digital tools, according to a June 26 ABC News report. 

Data and analytics technology provider Health Catalyst will acquire patient engagement company Twistle, the companies said June 24.

Jean-Olivier Racine has left Amazon to join a health IT startup after serving in artificial intelligence and tech leadership roles for nearly 10 years. 

Providence's health tech investment portfolio Tegria on June 24 acquired KenSci, a company that provides artificial intelligence platforms and tools to healthcare providers, payers and medical device companies.

Cigna's 14 million behavioral health customers will have access to telepsychiatry platform Brightside.

Transitioning to cloud-based technologies is one of the main priorities for healthcare organizations as they look to accommodate consumers' needs and expectations after the pandemic, according to a recent Accenture report.