Teva UK Study Reveals Generational 'Digital Divide' as UK Baby Boomers Fail to Embrace Benefits of 'Digital Healthcare'

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PR Newswire

CASTLEFORD, England, September 7, 2016

CASTLEFORD, England, September 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Survey of 1000 UK residents shows over 55s take personal responsibility for health, but less likely to use digital technologies to manage health
Survey comes on heels of UK government report highlighting risk of new healthcare technologies failing to reach those with highest need
Teva UK - the 'Digital Zone' sponsor at NHS England's Health & Care Innovation Expo 2016 -calls for NHS-patient-industry collaboration in tackling healthcare generational "digital divide"

Teva UK Ltd. today released results of a UK survey showing that people over the age of 55 feel in high control of their health^[¹^] and that over 55s are more likely than other age groups in the UK to feel it's their responsibility to influence their own health.^[²^] The research, involving 1000 participants in the UK, also indicated UK baby boomers believe it's important to take care of one's own health to avoid major health-related expenses in the future.^[²^]

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But the study also revealed a generational "digital divide" in attitudes toward managing one's health. Research found that people over 55 in the UK are least likely of any age group to seek advice on how to take better control of their health.^[³^] They're also least likely to search for health information online, with only a third saying they find health information online dependable.^[⁴^] The UK survey also found that less than half of over 55s surveyed said they actively seek new information about their health^[²^] - despite over 80% saying it's their responsibility to influence their own health.^[²^]

Teva UK has published these findings to coincide with the start of NHS England's Health & Care Innovation Expo 2016, which opens today in Manchester. Teva is serving as NHS England's Digital Zone partner at this year's Expo, with the aim of sharing experiences, examining best practices, and understanding drivers and barriers to adopting digital technology in healthcare.

The Teva UK study also showed that over 55s are the least likely of any UK age group to agree that technology makes their life easier.^[⁵^] Research indicated UK baby boomers would be least likely to make use of health tests that - thanks partly to advances in digital technology - could predict or prevent certain health conditions: only 11% said they would seek out tests to predict or prevent conditions they might be prone to develop due to their genes or lifestyle.^[⁴^] Over 55s were also sceptical of the potential health impact of wearable technologies and similar innovations, with only 1 in 5 (22%) believing these technologies could revolutionise healthcare.^[⁶^] Baby boomers were also least likely to either own (4%) or consider owning (8%) a wearable tech device or health sensor.^[⁷^]

Teva believes a key to better health outcomes is patient-empowerment, backed by digital technologies that support a sustainable, whole-system approach to healthcare. In commenting on the study, Kate Smith, Director of NHS Strategy at Teva UK, said: "We've been working to address baby boomers' lower rates of engagement with digital technologies. It's fantastic to see in this new research how empowered baby boomers feel when it comes to their health. However, the survey shows we need to do more to educate an older generation of the potential benefit of new tests, technologies and information now becoming available thanks to advances in digital health."

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News of this generational digital divide in healthcare comes just eight weeks after the UK government released its foresight report looking at the challenges and opportunities of an ageing society. In it, expert advisers warn "there is a risk that the potential of technologies to support health will not translate to those with highest need"^[⁸^] and underline that "technology can help to provide the solutions to challenges faced by the ageing population, and help to realise the benefits of longer lives."^[⁹^]

Reflecting on the government report, Ms. Smith added: "Our study also revealed some of the challenges highlighted in the UK government report. That's why we're excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with NHS England in taking a closer look at the role of digital in healthcare at this year's NHS Expo."

On day 2 of the conference, Teva UK along with NHS England, will co-host a panel discussion to explore how to digitally empower patients and clinicians to drive improved health outcomes. We asked Juliet Bauer, the newly appointed Director of Digital Experience at NHS England, who will participate in the panel discussion, how she feels digital technology can help deliver better health and care: "Simplicity for the patient is critical. The health and care system is complicated and confusing to navigate, and whilst we have some of the best healthcare in the world, the consumer journey of getting to care is often difficult. The adoption of digital technology presents us with a very real opportunity to guide people to the right place, support them to make the right decisions and transform that consumer experience. In everyday life we rely on high quality digital journeys to access services and information we need. In health and care we have some serious catching up to do. I know the task is significant but the commitment is clear. The investment in paperless 2020, the strong partnerships across health and care organisations, the department of health and industry, all combined with technology that is evolving…. these are exciting times."

Teva's partnership with NHS England in the Digital Health Zone at the Health & Care Innovation Expo 2016 forms part of Teva's strategy of collaborating in digital health with industry, healthcare providers and patients. The partnership also builds on Teva's ongoing work in the UK to connect patients with their healthcare providers through Teva's Patient Support Programmes, which help patients manage their treatments more effectively by connecting them to nursing support via an online platform.

References:

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, "Locking in Audiences" Survey, July 2016, Q 29
Ibid S 6
Ibid Q 20
Ibid Q 7
Ibid Q 8
Ibid Q 18
Ibid Q 5
Government Office for Science, Future of an Aging Population, 7 July 2016, page 86, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/535187/gs-16-10-future-of-an-ageing-population.pdf [accessed 15/08/16]
Ibid P 98

About Teva UK Limited

Teva UK Limited is one of the UK's top ten pharmaceutical manufacturers, with a presence in the generics, branded respiratory, CNS and hospitals markets. It has the widest range of any UK generic pharmaceutical company and markets solid and liquid dose, injectable and respiratory medicines to healthcare professionals. The company is part of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. For more information, visit http://www.tevauk.com.

About Teva:
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) is a leading global pharmaceutical company that delivers high-quality, patient-centric healthcare solutions to millions of patients every day. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world's largest generic medicines producer, leveraging its portfolio of more than 1,800 molecules to produce a wide range of generic products in nearly every therapeutic area. In specialty medicines, Teva has a world-leading position in innovative treatments for disorders of the central nervous system, including pain, as well as a strong portfolio of respiratory products. Teva integrates its generics and specialty capabilities in its global research and development division to create new ways of addressing unmet patient needs by combining drug development capabilities with devices, services and technologies. Teva's net revenues in 2015 amounted to $19.7 billion. For more information, visit http://www.tevapharm.com.

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