Sharecare (NASDAQ:SHCR) will introduce Mind Your Health content capsules in January 2023 to support mindfulness and mental well being in chronic sufferers of depression and anxiety.
The decision behind the release was in response to a survey of U.S. 3,000 patients and over 200 physicians. The survey indicated depressive and anxiety were both pervasive and potentially undiagnosed.
“The responses to our survey indicate that, compared to those who exhibit symptoms indicative of anxiety or depression, many fewer people have received a mental health diagnosis, which can detract from how they manage their emotional and physical health – and those numbers more than double in patients already dealing with a chronic illness. This adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating not only the need to treat the whole person but also that mindfulness and anxiety-reducing tactics are critical components of chronic condition management,” said Jud Brewer, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at Sharecare and author of New York Times bestseller Unwinding Anxiety.
Sharecare is a digital health company that helps people to collect and manage their health data. It has a data-driven virtual health platform that collects data for patients, providers, employers, health plans, government organizations and communities. Its overall goal is driving population-wide well-being through positive behaviour change.
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Mindfulness and mental health
The survey findings discovered multiple different factors:
Depression and anxiety are pervasive and underdiagnosed in the U.S. with six of ten respondents suffering from symptoms. Only 48 per cent of those have received a diagnosis.
The situation is worse for chronic disease sufferers. These include diseases like diabetes, migraines, and multiple sclerosis. 7 in 10 people with a physical chronic condition show symptoms of depression and anxiety. They are also 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed than a healthy population.
Doctors agree that anxiety and depression can interfere with chronic disease management.
90 per cent agree that a patient suffers from anxiety, stress or depression it can interfere with their ability to manage other health conditions. 71 per cent agree that anxiety and depression sufferers tend to be less compliant with medications and other instructions.
Doctors agree that mindfulness can help patients manage chronic conditions. Specifically, 88 per cent agree that mindfulness leads to better health outcomes. Also, 86 per cent agree that reducing anxiety through mindfulness practices would benefits patients who suffer chronic disease.
“Sharecare is leading the charge to drive awareness and provide tools to support patients’ mental well-being as they manage a chronic condition. We are excited to apply the learnings from our research to create a best-in-class experience for patients and marketers who recognize the collective importance of treating both emotional and physical health to improve health outcomes,” said Laura Klein, EVP and general manager of life sciences at Sharecare.
Sharecare can leverage its expertise and capabilities in data and analytics, as well as its clinically validated disease management programs and content to act on these findings. The capsules include condition-specific, patient-friendly conversations about mindfulness with Dr. Jennifer Caudle, a board-certified family medicine physician. They will also include evidence-based articles and guided meditation videos.
