Here’s How Medtech Is Making Americans Healthier

In a recent Washington Times op-ed titled, “Medtech is Vital to a Healthier America,” Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of AdvaMed, the world’s largest trade organization for medtech companies, emphasizes the importance of medtech in health care. He writes, “from almost every angle, medical technology is the foundation of making and keeping Americans healthy.”

Key findings from Whitaker’s article include:

• Advancements in medtech for preventive screenings have helped reduce cancer deaths. Since 1990, cancer deaths overall have decreased 32%, including a 43% reduction in breast cancer deaths and a 53% reduction in prostate cancer deaths.
• Early cancer detection has seen improvements when AI is incorporated into screenings. One study found a 29% increase in breast cancer detection when AI was used in the screening process.
• Medtech allows patients to take control of their health. Advanced technologies such as wearables are providing patients with actionable information about their health, including timely updates on their vital signs, empowering them with knowledge about their health status just by merely looking at their phones.
• Health care innovations are cost-effective. By reducing hospital stays and improving the accuracy of diagnoses, medtech enables patients to live their lives to the fullest and manage illnesses at a much lower cost compared to other medical interventions.

We are already seeing the positive results of AI in health care: more efficient imaging, earlier and more accurate diagnoses, and swift implementation of personalized treatment plans for patients nationwide. To prioritize long-term health for Americans, widespread access to medtech should remain an essential aspect of working towards a healthier America.

You can also help advocate for access to medical innovations for all Americans by sending a letter in support of the Health Tech Investment Act here.