OpinionHow did Israel become a global powerhouse in digital health?
Opinion
How did Israel become a global powerhouse in digital health?
"Israel's ability to strengthen its global standing in digital health highlights not only its technological achievements but also its capacity to integrate this field into the daily lives of citizens worldwide," write Dr. Merav Mor and Dr. Michal Mor, co-founders at Lumen.
It took time, but today, Israel is considered a global leader in digital health, and its success is no accident. It stems from a unique combination of innovation, significant investments, and collaboration between the public sector, private industry, and academia. A recent report from the Israel Export Institute reveals that investments in digital health since the beginning of this year have reached approximately half a billion dollars—a figure comparable to the total investments in 2023. This data indicates an increase in investment volume, underscoring the sector's attractiveness and the strong confidence investors place in it.
Israel is a prominent player in the global medical innovation landscape, serving as a hub for startups, research institutes, and universities leading the development of advanced solutions in areas like medical diagnostics, telemedicine, health data management, and artificial intelligence. The country’s innovation ecosystem empowers individuals to manage their health independently by providing access to more personalized healthcare services.
One notable example is the rapidly evolving field of precision medicine in Israel. This approach tailors treatments to patients based on their unique profiles, including metabolic data, lifestyle, and medical history. Precision medicine places Israel at the forefront of global knowledge and allows it to offer significant advantages in delivering personalized healthcare.
Another driving force behind Israel’s excellence is the strengthening collaboration between public institutions, research centers, and academic entities. These partnerships not only provide cutting-edge knowledge and research capabilities but also foster connections with startups, helping transform technological ideas into practical applications.
Today, digital health technologies enable physicians to remotely monitor patients, allowing for continuous tracking of critical metrics beyond the clinic walls. Research institutions also benefit from these capabilities, enabling precise and long-term monitoring of study participants through real-time data integration. Examples of such collaborations include the University of Toronto, which examines the metabolic flexibility of women at different menstrual cycle stages; Purdue University, studying how meal composition affects metabolism based on participants' ethnic backgrounds; and the University of Colorado, investigating the impact of night shifts on metabolism. Another Toronto research group is exploring how breakfast before exercise influences metabolic systems.
Israel's ability to strengthen its global standing in digital health highlights not only its technological achievements but also its capacity to integrate this field into the daily lives of citizens worldwide. By combining public and private funding with extensive collaboration and advanced knowledge, Israel sets a new standard for healthcare in the modern era.
Looking ahead, Israel is positioned to lead in a digital health revolution that will eventually become an integral part of general healthcare systems. Already, advanced digital platforms, cutting-edge technologies, and global partnerships solidify Israel’s leading position—a position poised to grow further. In Israel, digital health is more than just a technological field; it represents the forefront of an innovative approach to healthcare, aligned with the evolving demands and needs of our time.
Dr. Merav Mor and Dr. Michal Mor are co-founders at Lumen.
