
20 segments available
In this episode, Vijay Pande and Daisy Wolf of a16z Bio + Health make a provocative case for why technologists—not just medical professionals—are key to reinventing healthcare. They argue that to transform a sector representing 20% of U.S. GDP, innovation must move beyond curing diseases toward tackling healthcare’s broken systems. By likening the healthcare industry to a logistics challenge, Vijay and Daisy outline how technologists can leverage their expertise in consumer engagement, operational efficiency, and AI to drive the next frontier of health innovation. They also explore high-impact opportunities like improving patient experiences and deploying AI for behavioral change at scale. If you’re ready to explore new paths in healthcare, this episode is essential listening for understanding the powerful role technologists can play in shaping its future. Resources: Find Vijay on X: https://x.com/vijaypande Find Daisy on X: https://x.com/daisydwolf Learn more about a16z Bio+Health: https://a16z.com/bio-health/ Learn more about Raising Health: https://a16z.com/podcasts/raising-health/ Stay Updated: Find a16z Bio+Health on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/a16z-bio-health/ Find a16z Bio+Health on X: https://x.com/a16zBioHealth Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.com/podcasts/raising-health/ Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
The segment clarifies what constitutes a consumer health tech company beyond traditional definitions.
"[Music] [Music] BJ Daisy, welcome. So, you two predicted in 2022, so 2 years ago, that the biggest company in the world will be a consumer health tech company. That's quite the prediction. So, I'd lov..."
This segment explores how technology aims to simplify and improve the complex landscape of healthcare.
"fact, most healthcare companies today are the opposite of that. And actually, some people might describe healthcare today as intimidating, regulated, and complex. And in fact, you two both have referr..."
The segment explores the growing interest of technologists in the healthcare sector and discusses what drives this trend.
"testing, it's really hard to know how to do it. And then we need people to help us kind of change our behaviors. 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy. Half of people don't go to the PCP. Half ..."
Exploring mixed reactions to healthcare technology advancements and industry skepticism.
"take. Why do you think there was such a response both good and bad and again we'll get into the good and bad in a second but what's your take on that? Yeah, I think part of it is it was controversial...."
This segment discusses the transformative potential of AI in healthcare and critiques existing technologies.
"advantage company and and building payer and provider basically doing everything. So that's really hard to do but actually if you can do that you can address those issues directly because you're you'r..."
This segment discusses how technological advancements can drive behavioral change in healthcare, particularly in the unique context of American culture.
"And so that's a huge difference in terms of why now. Now in terms of what's actually different about the rest of the world is well those um non- US healthcare systems don't have to deal with Americans..."
This segment discusses the emerging trend of consumers taking charge of their health by seeking greater understanding and agency over their bodily wellness, driven in part by recent societal shifts.
"your health insurance doesn't kick in until you've already spent x amount of dollars of your own before insurance will cover a dime, which is a relatively unfortunate trend. But the silver lining of t..."
This segment discusses the importance of creating a frictionless and engaging consumer experience in healthcare technology.
"um is is not typically or historically has not been there to actually create this consumer incentive. Um and and now you're saying that things have changed. There's almost like this ground swell of pe..."
This segment explores the anticipated advancements in healthcare technology, including wearable devices and their integration with healthcare records for a seamless consumer experience.
"the future we think should exist and we think healthcare probably looks like you are you have wearable devices that are monitoring ing your health at all times. Some of them are like the wearable devi..."
Exploring how consumer-driven technology impacts preventative healthcare and the evolving role of insurance.
"maybe one follow-up question there in that future that you just painted, those all those devices or those um trackers that you know we're seeing the early emergence of now today those options are very..."
This segment discusses the necessity of improving consumer experience in healthcare, contrasting consumer health companies revitalizing the system with those enhancing existing frameworks.
"we think of as consumer products. And we we definitely see that. It's funny when we look at these consumer health companies. We've invested and see a whole bucket of them that are trying to rebuild th..."
Exploring the need for healthcare providers to prioritize patient experiences for better engagement and outcomes.
"health health providers, so hospital systems, doctor's offices don't really see patients as their end customers because patients generally aren't paying for their care. The insurance company is. And s..."
Exploring the potential of merging consumer tech expertise with healthcare to drive transformative change.
"your healthcare right I think those are not really choices and so when you actually have choices then people actually have to worry about retention and that will actually feed into product so it's tha..."
Exploring strategies for becoming the largest company in consumer health through integrated service and marketplace models.
"sustains you know Google and Facebook and these other massive companies. And so from a first principles perspective there's no reason this can't exist. And we basically laid out two ways we think a co..."
Exploring the potential of creating a modern financial system for healthcare payments and the challenges involved.
"company in the Um and then the second path we laid out was um a financial infrastructure layer. So what if you became the visa of healthcare? Um healthcare payments, I won't go into this because I thi..."
Exploring the challenges faced by tech giants in effectively disrupting the healthcare industry.
"success what 30 years in the making. I was going to say you know so he's been making very thoughtful uh decisions strategic decisions over multiple decades to build this company and and get to that po..."
This segment discusses how non-traditional tech companies may successfully disrupt healthcare, contrasting their approaches with incumbents like United Healthcare and Walmart.
"to do. Um, and so I think we'll see acquisitions on the margins like we saw with Amazon buying one medical and you know Apple Apple's products are always kind of verging on health almost. They're goin..."
Exploring how AI can transform healthcare by making quality services accessible to everyone.
"almost a play to get you to stay in Walmart a little longer and spend a little bit more money but without really investing in building worldclass health care, you're never going to win in the industry..."
Exploring how AI's integration could revolutionize healthcare by replacing traditional human services.
"the things that people don't realize though is there's a flip. I was talking about why healthcare needs AI. I would make an argument that AI needs healthcare. And the argument there is that actually w..."
Exploring how wearable devices spark social change and enhance health awareness.
"under a sun and tracking changes over time. There's more penetration of wearable devices than ever before. And if you marry all of those things, like we're going to have these companions very soon tha..."