Several major technology companies have come under scrutiny for being granted access to some patient health data to develop new technologies and tools, but Americans may be more open to sharing their information in the name of innovation for specific purposes.
That’s according to a recent survey from Lantern Pharma that found a majority of Americans would share their health data in the name of drug development and medical research. Specifically, Lantern Pharma surveyed 1,054 Americans on their feelings toward the use of patient and healthcare data in AI and cancer drug development.
Three-quarters of respondents (76%) said they would share their personal health data for medical research, while 88% said they would share it if it helped develop therapies for treating cancer.
Despite the openness to share their information for these purposes, about 64% said they were concerned about the privacy of their health data, with the top concern being that data could be used to deny care or make care more expensive. Other tops concerns included data being stolen, sold or someone profiting from their health data.
Fortunately, nearly 83% said their or a family member’s personal health data had never been compromised.
When it came to AI, the majority of Americans––54%––said they were not concerned about the use the technology in healthcare. That’s good news, since AI is already being used in healthcare in several ways, from diagnostics and imaging to research, and AI tools require vast amounts of data. What’s more, 69% of respondents said they expect AI to improve current approaches to cancer treatment and 69% also said the use of AI to develop drugs that treat cancer doesn’t concern them.
However, about 82% of Americans believe patients should be compensated for sharing their health data––a finding that could inform future partnerships between healthcare providers and technology companies.
See the full survey here.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."