Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Health Care Horizon Scanning

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Want to be in the know about innovations with the potential to change health care? Here’s a database of advancements created by the Patient-CenteredOutcomes Research Institute (PCORI) that you should know about. The database is called PCORI Health Care Horizon Scanning System.

Horizon scanning is a process that looks to the future of areas such as:

  • access to care
  • care delivery processes and settings
  • costs of care
  • current treatment models
  • health care infrastructure
  • health disparities
  • patient health outcomes

Conditions covered in this database include:

  • Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
  • cancer
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • infectious diseases (including COVID-19)
  • mental and behavioral health conditions
  • rare diseases

Over half of the entries cover a wide range of rare diseases; cardiovascular diseases make up about three out of ten entries. Most of the interventions are pharmaceutical. Other interventions include gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and immunotherapy.

Trends that are likely to cause changes in the health care system within the next three years are also noted for various medical conditions. The category with the most studied trends is cancer. The two top covered trend themes are treatment models and artificial intelligence.

Video tutorials and downloadable guides to help you use the Horizon Scanning Database are available here: https://horizonscandb.pcori.org/tutorials

Would you like to provide your input as a stakeholder into the horizon scanning process? You will read a short report on a treatment or trend and comment on its potential to improve health care. You might receive a cash honorarium for your input. Here is the application form: https://ecri.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Hyd6IfC4QenVFc

Enjoy learning about advancements in care options and new treatments that have potential to change US health care.

 

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Emerging Technologies and Therapeutics Reports

Patient-CenteredOutcomes Research Institute

The
Patient-CenteredOutcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funds research on patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness. These research projects aim to help members of the public make informed healthcare decisions that reflect their desired health outcomes.

Part of PCORI’s work is to summarize evidence about new drugs, devices, and healthcare technologies in the US. These summaries reside in the Emerging Technologies and Therapeutics Reports database.

The name of the institution to which the research grant was awarded is given, as is the project budget and key dates. Project summaries written by grant awardees explain key questions to be answered by the research. Both ongoing and completed projects are included in the database.

If you are interested in current research about clinical effectiveness of new and emerging medications, treatments, and healthcare technologies and how they will improve patient-centered care, you will want to keep your eye on this database.

Sunday, May 3, 2026

May is Older Americans Month

 Older Americans Month

Who’s considered elderly or a senior citizen? In the US, the age of 65 is the usual federal and medical benchmark. This is when a person becomes eligible for Medicare.

Older and younger Americans may be interested to know that May is Older Americans Month. The purpose of this dedicated month is to recognize older adults’ ongoing contributions to our society, to educate about the needs of the elderly, and to reaffirm society’s commitment to addressing those needs.

The aging process affects cognition, mobility, hearing, and seeing. These changes impact how the elderly population accesses healthcare and other public services, uses transportation, and moves in public spaces.

Champion Your Health

The theme of the 2026 Older Americans Month is “ChampionYour Health.” Activities this month emphasize managing health, accessing preventive care, and wellness.

The ADA is important in protecting the rights of older adults. The goal of this civil rights legislation is to allow elderly people to continue to participate in community life.

If you are interested in how the ADA protects older Americans, you can take a short online course from the Rocky Mountain ADA Center here to earn a certificate: https://rockymountainada.talentlms.com/plus/catalog/courses/239






Saturday, May 2, 2026

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for May 2026

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits in Second Life using the SLURLs in this posting. While in Second Life on Healthinfo Island, click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images.  If you click each poster, you will get a private message with additional information and live links.


Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22


Medical Insurance in the U. S.
Medical Insurance in the U.S.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24


Nurses' Day and Week
Nurses' Day and Week
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22


May is National Arthritis Awareness Month
May is National Arthritis Awareness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24


What Spectacle is the Shoulder
What Spectacle is the Shoulder
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26


Boost Your Resilience
Boost Your Resilience
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28


Huntington Disease Awareness Month
Huntington Disease Awareness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30


May is Stroke Awareness Month
May is Stroke Awareness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32


Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island
Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

Thank you to Mook for help with the posters this month.