Improved population health surveillance and chronic disease management using secure email: Application of the DIRECT, IEEE 11073, HITSP, and IHE standards and protocols

Chronic disease management is a significant global challenge due to rapidly expanding and aging societies. In the USA, chronic disease management costs are estimated to consume as much as 60% of the annual $1 trillion health budget. This is not solely a US-centric issue, however. Even countries with much smaller and younger populations like Saudi Arabia are dealing with substantial chronic disease challenges. Common chronic diseases like asthma, Types 1 & 2 diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, and obesity have become worldwide challenges, but they are often slow-moving diseases that can be monitored and treated if a small number of basic vitals signs like blood sugar, blood pressure, ECG, heart rate, lung capacity, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and weight. Virtually all of these basic signs can now be measured with lowcost devices purchased from the Internet. This paper describes how such data can be securely transmitted to caregivers (aides, nurses, or physicians) at clinics or hospitals to ensure early detection and low-cost, timely, and effective intervention.