Ash Wellness is going to HLTH 2023! You might remember us from ViVE 2023. (We were the ones who did a drag show fundraiser for trans youth.) We’re excited to chat with you about at-home testing, Saas, equity in healthcare, and LGBTQ+ health. Schedule a meeting to meet with us in Las Vegas at booth V-6820 and stop by our Innovators Reception cabana on Monday night to “test your luck” with our roulette wheel! Or find us at one of these awesome events.

1. Equity by Design

1:10 PM—1:50 PM PDT October 8, 2023

Location: Show Floor, Sky Stage

Only 5% of American adults have ever participated in a clinical trial. The percentage is even less for women, rural residents and minority populations. Although we've made strides in addressing inequities within our clinical trials, there are still many gaps. Using AI for clinical trial matching and adhering to a more stringent diversity action plan can help in increasing representation from underrepresented communities. Many health leaders are not accepting this inequitable reality and are actively inventing solutions through partnerships, internal initiatives, and technology in shaping a more inclusive future for medical research. It’s about damn time.

Why we’re excited: We know that at-home diagnostics enables virtual clinical trials, which disrupt barriers to care for those who might not normally choose to participate, such as rural residents and minority populations. We are eager to hear from thought leaders on other solutions to support equitable access.  

2. The Diabetes Money Pit

2:00 PM—2:40 PM PDT October 8, 2023

Location: Show Floor, Moon Stage

Diabetes costs $237 billion annually. If that didn’t wake you up, that’s $1 out of every $4 spent on healthcare. If we can reduce costs for this specific patient population, we can make a massive impact on our total healthcare expenditure. With reimbursement rates varying from region to region for treating similar conditions, consistency in cost cutting strategies is challenging. We are gaining ground in discovering new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent diabetes, but will it be enough to offset the cost impact of GLP-1s and further, the 1.4 million Americans getting diagnosed each year? The odds are against us, but who doesn’t like a challenge?

‍Why we’re excited: We work with food-as-medicine platform to support a monitoring program for patients with diabetes seeking to lower their HbA1C levels through nutrition. At-home testing for diabetes has long been a staple of chronic care management. We are interested in how providers and digital health companies plan to reduce care costs and improve patient outcomes.  

3. Retail and Health, Sitting in a Tree

2:50 PM—3:30 PM PDT October 8, 2023

Location: Show Floor, Moon Stage

The retailization of healthcare is booming as health organizations take a page from the disruptive consumer models of Airbnb, Uber and the like. The adoption of consumer principles in health has put an emphasis on personalization, convenience, transparency and user experience. Consumers expect an experience that aligns with their expectations, makes note of their preferences and prioritizes their needs. By embracing consumerization, health organizations can better meet the demands of an increasingly digital population who’s not afraid to swipe left on you and find a new provider, pharmacy, or even medication. Let’s meet health leaders who are ready to swoon consumers.

Why we’re excited: Ash wrote a LinkedIn newsletter not long ago about the intersection between at-home diagnostics and retail health. In particular, we are interested in how retailers (remember: 90% of the US population is located within 10 miles of a Walmart) can fill care gaps in rural communities. Retailers that offer remote diagnostics can work within existing telehealth structures to link patients with reactive screening results to providers.

4. Gut Feelings

1:20 PM—2:00 PM PDT October 9, 2023

Location: Show Floor, Earth Stage

Gut health is the hidden cornerstone of overall well-being, silently orchestrating a symphony of vital processes within our bodies. Behind the scenes of digestion lies a complex and diverse community of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that form our gut microbiome. This bustling ecosystem plays a pivotal role in not just digesting food, but also in regulating our immune system, producing essential vitamins, and even influencing our mental health. A balanced and thriving gut microbiome is like a guardian, protecting us against harmful pathogens and inflammation, while also bolstering our body's ability to absorb nutrients efficiently. The profound impact of gut health is still being uncovered through new research. As we continue to unlock new insights, let’s listen to our gut and foster a harmonious relationship with our inner microbial allies!

Why we’re interested: Ash loves gut health! We put on a webinar ‘Let’s Talk Shit’ in May 2023 with speakers from GoMo Health, Pluto, and Salvo Health. At-home stool tests can deliver care to patients for prevention and treatment of GI disease — we wrote a blog about it, too. We are excited to hear about new research from leaders in the gut health space. 

5. Announcements from Moffitt Cancer Center, OMNY Health, Tomorrow Health, Ash Wellness

3:00 PM—3:40 PM PDT October 9, 2023

Location: Show Floor, The Newsroom Stage

3:00 PM - Moffitt Cancer Center: Hear from Cancer X co-host Dr. Corinne Leach on behalf of the White House, DiMe, and the Moffitt Cancer Center partnership, announcing results from the inaugural project on equity and financial toxicity. 

3:10 PM - OMNY Health: OMNY CEO Mitesh Rao will be announcing a new product and expansion of their data network.

3:20 PM - Tomorrow Health: Tomorrow Health – America’s leading home-based healthcare provider – will share new, unreleased data from its partnership with Geisinger Health Plan on how better, more seamless home-based healthcare can produce measurable impacts on health plan costs, member satisfaction, and overall health outcomes. 

3:30 PM - Ash Wellness: Join Ash Wellness to review a powerful study of how at-home testing transforms public health STI initiatives

Why we’re excited: Ash is presenting new data from our partnership with the Fulton County Board of Health! This data will outline major behavioral learnings from one year of serving at-risk patient populations in the Atlanta area, plus next steps in the at-home testing space. 

6. Pride @ HLTH Meetup

4:30 PM—5:30 PM PDT October 9, 2023 

Location: Show Floor, Impact Stage

Network, see colleagues and find opportunity among LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals at the Pride @ HLTH Meetup; and learn how you can support gender-affirming care via event host OutCare Health.

Why we’re excited: The Ash team went to Pride @ HLTH last year and loved it. We are a company that centers queer healthcare needs and are always thrilled to meet our peers. 

7. “Test Your Luck” Cabana at the Innovator’s Reception 

7:00 PM—9:00 PM PDT October 9, 2023

Location: Wynn, XS

Join us at the HLTH Innovators Reception at the club XS! RSVP to come by the Mistr x Ash cabana to spin a roulette wheel for a chance to win a free STI test kit, lap dance from a Mistr model, a donation to the Trevor Project, and more. 

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