Sophie Okolo, MPH

Health is a major concern for many people around the world. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), many are beginning to wonder if AI will become the future of healthcare. It is time to explore the potential AI represents for healthcare, especially for treating and managing debilitating and costly health conditions. Could AI change the landscape of healthcare in the future?

The cost of healthcare for debilitating, long-term conditions can be incredibly high. Medications and treatments are expensive, but long-term care and support can also add up quickly. These costs are simply out of reach for many people with chronic health conditions. Unfortunately, these individuals can find themselves in a state of financial insecurity, where they cannot access the care they need. This can lead to a deterioration of their condition, creating an even bigger financial burden down the road. In addition to the costs of care, the time and effort involved in managing a chronic health condition can be draining and difficult. Individuals may need to keep track of their medication, visit multiple doctors and specialists, and make sure their insurance company is properly providing coverage. This can be especially challenging for those who are already struggling with day-to-day tasks due to their illness. 

However, doctors believe implementing preventive care strategies could help manage some conditions and lessen the financial burden. 

This is precisely where AI can provide intelligent advice and support for patients and doctors. The use of AI is growing rapidly in the healthcare industry to help diagnose, manage, and treat medical conditions. AI has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare field by providing more accurate diagnoses, better treatments, and faster access to care. For example, AI can help detect early signs of disease by analyzing medical images, or it can interpret patient data and provide personalized recommendations. AI can also help manage chronic illnesses like diabetes by monitoring patients’ glucose levels and administering insulin as needed. 

While AI doesn’t replace medical expertise, it can provide medical advice, monitor patients’ health, diagnose diseases accurately, and develop personalized treatments. The untapped potential that AI-powered robots represent to provide physical assistance with tasks such as helping seniors or people with long-term conditions transfer to their wheelchair, monitor their health, or take medication is not yet fully understood. Yet the opportunity to turn to AI for support could remove some burdens that crush the healthcare sector. 

But more than a friendly helper, AI can also become a cost-saving ally in healthcare. AI technology can be instrumental in reducing costs in the healthcare system by streamlining countless processes, from medical to administrative. 

AI also helps healthcare providers identify patients at risk of developing certain diseases, which allows them to intervene earlier and provide preventive care. This can save time and money in the long run. As a result, health and life insurance policies could be positively affected. Someone comparing life insurance costs and reading informative materials such as National Life Group reviews today could receive a much lower rate in the future thanks to AI involvement in healthcare. 

More importantly, by lowering overall healthcare and insurance costs, AI can become a beacon of accessibility for a fair healthcare system for all. Is AI the future of healthcare? Only time will tell, yet in theory, it would seem to address many healthcare challenges.