3 min read

Episode #235 Public Health Issues Meet Technology And Innovation, With Dr. Harsh Vathsangam

On This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast

We have a particularly inspiring episode as we discuss a new, innovative way to address an old public health problem. Joining us to share his groundbreaking ideas and expertise, is Dr. Harsh Vathsangam, co-founder of Moving Analytics, the leading telehealth provider of cardiovascular prevention programs. Dr. Vathsangam opens up about his passion for the prevention and elimination of cardiovascular disease in the US and describes how Moving Analytics combines computer science, research, and preventative medicine to address this prevalent public health issue in a creative way. Dr. Vathsangam has a Ph.D. in computer science and has over seven years of experience in designing and testing technologies for mobile health, and in this episode, he fills us in on how computer science can ultimately lead to informing physicians in the public health sector and benefit everyday people. We hear some devastating statistics about the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, as well as the six behaviors we need to adopt to prevent its occurrence. Dr. Vathsangam explains the cardiac rehabilitation process and we discover how Moving Analytics is changing the game and empowering patients to take charge of their own recovery. Tune in for this jam-packed episode exploring the role of technology in improving our access to healthcare!

Meet Dr. Harsh Vathsangam

Harsh Vathsangam, is the Co-Founder of Moving Analytics, a digital health company they help conquer heart disease as the leading cause of death, through digital prevention programs. Harsh also holds a PhD in Mobile Health from the University of Southern California, and has over 7 years of experience in designing and testing technologies for mobile health. Research Interests His research deals with sensing and interaction for personal health and wellness. Through his work he aim to develop better sensing techniques and accurate algorithms to track, monitor and intervene in one’s health. He takes an interdisciplinary approach to his work, bringing together the fields of statistical machine learning, human computer interaction and preventative medicine.

Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast

Conversation Highlights

Dr. Harsh Vathsangam shares his fascinating personal and professional background.
How he unexpectedly discovered his passion for public health while doing his Ph.D. in computer science.
The link between computer science and epidemiology and the role computer science can play in the public health sector.
Dr. Vathsangam’s passion for the prevention and eventual elimination of cardiovascular disease in the US.
The six behaviors to adjust to prevent cardiovascular disease: exercise, nutrition, stress and mental well-being, medication adherence, weight management, and smoking cessation.
The opportunity for technology to address the issues that prevent said behaviors.
The aim of Moving Analytics to serve post-acute care patients in the comfort of their homes.
What cardiac rehabilitation is and the alarming lack of access people have to it.
The systemic and cultural issues that prevent women from participating in cardiac rehab.
The value added by Moving Analytics from a public health perspective.
The structure and accessibility of the Moving Analytics program.
Why clinician referral is important.
How technology can be used to solve the issue of increased consumer demand.
Why training on how to use mobile devices should be provided for populations that don’t yet know how to use them.
The potential health benefits for society if content were to be created for specific communities.
What Dr. Vathsangam feels needs to improve in Los Angeles, in terms of public health.
The role of technology as an aid to the solution to public health issues.
How Dr. Vathsangam’s understanding of epidemiology has helped him serve his community.
Why the human aspect of care must not be neglected.