#eHealthPromotion, #SaluteSocial

We comment on Eichstaedt et al.’s (2015a) claim to have shown that language patterns among Twitter users, aggregated at the level of US counties, predicted county-level mortality rates from atherosclerotic heart disease (AHD), with “negative” language being associated with higher rates of death from AHD and “positive” language associated with lower rates. First, we examine some of Eichstaedt et al.’s apparent assumptions about the nature of AHD, as well as some issues related to the secondary analysis of online data and to considering counties as communities. Next, using the data files supplied by Eichstaedt et al., we reproduce their regression- and correlation-based models, substituting mortality from an alternative cause of death—namely, suicide—as the outcome variable, and observe that the purported associations between “negative” and “positive” language and mortality are reversed when suicide is used as the outcome variable. We identify numerous other conceptual and methodological limitations that call into question the robustness and generalizability of Eichstaedt et al.’s claims, even when these are based on the results of their ridge regression/machine learning model. We conclude that there is no good evidence that analyzing Twitter data in bulk in this way can add anything useful to our ability to understand geographical variation in AHD mortality rates.

WiseGuyReports has announced the addition of a new intelligence report, titled “Telehealth: Global Market Trends, Regulatory Landscape and Operational Strategies”.

Summary

The latest report, “Telehealth: Global Market Trends, Regulatory Landscape and Operational Strategies”, provides key insights into the global telehealth regulatory and market landscape, as well as its main applications in healthcare and associated sectors.

The continued adoption of telehealth technologies around the world will have a positive impact, not only on healthcare markets, but on a range of different sectors as well. The report assesses the potential impact these technologies will have on healthcare systems as well the business opportunities they offer to other industries – including the technology and telecommunications sectors. Furthermore, the analysis explores recent developments in regulations and guidelines in key geographies including the US, Europe, Japan, China, India and South Africa. Along with global market drivers and restraints, the report also provides insights into the size of telehealth/telecare markets in key geographical markets.