Aetna Foundation issues digital health challenge for chronic conditions

The Aetna Foundation announced a digital health innovation challenge to develop programs geared to underserved communities struggling to manage chronic conditions. The competition is open to non-profits, community organizations, state and local government agencies.

This challenge follows an initial funding of the first portion of a $4 million allocation to digital health innovation programs for underserved communities over the next three years. The foundation will give each of six digital health teams that make it past the application process up to $750,000 across three years to develop mobile tools for people with chronic conditions. The teams also will gain access to the foundation’s resources.

Challenge candidates have to develop sustainable projects that are scalable; have the potential for a positive societal impact; digital health programs that use evidence such as population health data or healthcare data; and digital health support based on behavioral or applicable theory.

Applications will be accepted from January to Feb. 16.

Beth Walsh,

Editor

Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.

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