Unlocking the Potential of AI and ML in Understanding Social Determinants of Health for Customized Healthcare, ET HealthWorld

In the ever-evolving realm of healthcare, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is revolutionizing the way illnesses are diagnosed and treated. Recent concerns over the increasing cases of heart attacks among young adults in India have highlighted the importance of understanding the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in healthcare.

Studies indicate that SDOH factors such as education, employment, and social support networks play a significant role in influencing health outcomes, contributing to 35–50 percent of overall health results. By leveraging AI and ML technologies, healthcare providers can offer personalized care beyond conventional prescriptions, addressing the underlying causes of health issues.

AI and ML act as skilled detectives in the healthcare sector, utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyze patient data and identify crucial information about their lifestyle and social environment. These technologies continuously learn and adapt, organizing data effectively to help doctors understand the complete health story of individuals and provide tailored interventions.

The benefits of AI and ML extend beyond individual health management, empowering healthcare insurance companies and payers to efficiently identify high-risk patients early on and streamline administrative processes. By automating data extraction from physician notes and utilizing AI/ML techniques like unsupervised learning and semantic search algorithms, these technologies offer actionable insights for developing personalized interventions.

The integration of AI and ML in healthcare represents a paradigm shift towards proactive and holistic care, focusing on preventative measures and early identification of health risks. By recognizing and addressing SDOH, the healthcare industry is moving towards a future where tailored interventions and fair access to quality care are crucial for improving overall health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.