Get the latest news in health technology, digital health and health AI with this weekly overview. News for the week from May 11th to May 15th.
Headspace app launches on Apple Watch
Mental health companion Headspace has debuted a newly updated Apple Watch app to help users bring mindfulness to life.
With permission, the app uses data from Apple Health to identify “moments when members are naturally more receptive to mindful breaks.” The app offers meditations, breathing nudges, a tap-to-calm interface during stressful moments, sleep support, and on-the-go collections.
Apple Watch sessions contribute to member progress and streaks.
“Breathwork is an important micro-intervention for managing stress and staying alert throughout the day,” Faye Carell, Headspace’s chief product design officer, said in a statement. “We are proud to offer this experience to our members, making clinically-backed content readily available to help them build resilience through small, consistent practices that fit seamlessly into their lives.”
Carrot expands metabolic health program to include menopause care
Carrot, a global fertility and family care platform, announced Thursday that it has expanded Sprints, its artificial intelligence-native metabolic platform, to include menopause care.
The solution combines clinically-backed care plans with AI-driven hyper-personalization to provide daily guidance tailored to an individual’s symptoms, goals, and lifestyle. The company says it measures “four key pillars” of metabolic health: exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress.
Dr. Javin McLaughlin, Carrot’s chief medical officer, said in a statement that menopause is a “whole-person transition that occurs primarily between doctor visits,” where today’s fragmented care falls short.
“By the time most people seek treatment, they are already suffering and the focus is on treating the most acute symptoms, leaving little time to address the remaining symptoms,” McLaughlin said. “Sprint bridges that gap with ongoing, evidence-based support that combines symptom management with education about silent changes in metabolic health, including sleep, mood, and daily functioning. This integrated, context-driven approach helps people understand what’s going on in their bodies, make informed decisions, and feel like they’re actually in control of their menopausal journey.”
This care is now available to Carrot Plan sponsors and members.
Visbee Medical and RAINN launch at-home STD testing program for sexual assault survivors
Visbee Medical and Lane launched the Safe Access Program, a national initiative aimed at providing sexual assault survivors with clinically accurate sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing at home.
The program will distribute 1,000 test kits to 20 RAINN partnership programs across the country in the first phase, with a focus on rural and underserved communities.
Visbee says its at-home PCR test is the first of its kind. The test provides laboratory-quality results for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis in less than 30 minutes with greater than 98% accuracy.
“For many survivors, accessing care is not just a logistical challenge, but an emotional one,” Megan Cutter, director of victim services at RAINN, said in a statement. “Returning to a clinical setting after experiencing sexual assault is not always possible. This partnership with Visbee provides survivors with a more accessible and private option without having to re-enter a space that can be overwhelming.”
IKS Health acquires ARAI Solutions
Inventurus Knowledge Solutions (IKS) Health has acquired AI management and technology company ARAI Solutions to accelerate the development of a complete agent AI technology stack.
IKS Health, a U.S. subsidiary of IKS Limited, said the acquisition will make it “the only full-stack player” with comprehensive proprietary domain intelligence. Platform development will be accelerated in the following areas:
- autonomous coding
- clinical decision
- non-repudiation
- Reason for prior authorization
- precision medicine
“ARAI’s clinical knowledge infrastructure will make the IKS Health AI operating model more economical, reliable, auditable, and reasonable,” Sachin K. Gupta, founder and global CEO of IKS Health, said in a statement. “The integration of ARAI and IKS Health adds a valuable complementary layer to our platform, allowing us to extend our powerful AI-driven, human-involved approach to align with evolving clinical and regulatory guidelines.”
Scripta Insights, Quantum Health Partner Reduces Pharmacy Costs
Prescription navigation company Scripta Insights has partnered with healthcare navigation company Quantum Health to reduce the total cost of pharmacy care.
Scripta functionality is delivered through integration with Quantum’s suite of solutions. Through this partnership, Quantum will enhance several capabilities including personalized identification of savings opportunities, educational assistance, targeted engagement strategies, and more.
“Quantum Health has built a highly reliable navigation experience for members and employers,” Scripta Insights CEO Eric Levin said in a statement. “This partnership allows us to extend that experience even deeper into everyday prescription decisions. By enhancing pharmacy navigation within Quantum’s existing model, we will be able to help our members access the right medications at the best prices, while providing employers with a more effective way to address prescription drug costs.”
