Digital Tools for Hypertension and Mental Health to Be Evaluated for Clinical Effectiveness and Economic Impact

NEW YORK —

The Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) will assess digital solutions for hypertension and mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. The evidence-based evaluations will review clinical effectiveness and economic impact.

“Digital technologies have the potential to improve access to care and management of chronic conditions,” said Caroline Pearson, executive director of PHTI. “With so many digital solutions on the market for hypertension and mental health care, payers, patients, and providers need access to transparent and independent evaluations to better understand which tools perform best to improve patient outcomes and affordability.”

Using a rigorous assessment framework, PHTI will evaluate products for clinical benefits, economic impact, and effects on health equity, user experience, and privacy and security. Results will inform recommendations to payers and providers about whether and how to adopt these technologies.

Digital Hypertension Management

Approximately 120 million adults in the United States have hypertension, and fewer than one in four have their condition under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research shows that people with hypertension face nearly $2,000 in additional out-of-pocket costs annually compared to those without. Medical experts say that self-management is key, requiring regular monitoring, increased physical activity, or strict medication schedules. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in digital solutions that aim to significantly lower blood pressure, increase monitoring rates, and reduce both primary care and emergency department visits.

“In-office blood pressure readings are notoriously unreliable,” said Pearson. “Effective remote hypertension monitoring and self-management solutions have the potential to inform clinical care decisions and improve patients’ health, reducing future complications and associated costs.”

Virtual Care for Depression and Anxiety

Mental health conditions affect nearly 60 million U.S. adults, costing employers $187 billion annually, research shows. Nearly $12 billion was invested from 2018 to 2022 on video- and messaging-based treatment options including talk therapy, medication management, coaching, and peer support, according to a Rock Health report. Virtual mental health services have the potential to offer patients more timely, flexible access to care and different ways to engage—from chatbots to live telehealth visits. These technologies aim to reduce anxiety and depression, improve patient satisfaction, and lower spending.

“When people seek help for a mental health condition, they deserve to know that the care they are receiving is safe, effective, and affordable,” said Pearson.

PHTI’s assessments of hypertension and mental health solutions will be released in the second half of 2024.