BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 27, 2005 -- Using predictive models to trigger patient-specific information prescriptions can help more people manage their health, according to a new Healthwise(R) white paper. "Predictive Modeling and Information Therapy: Prescribing the Information That Will Improve Health and Reduce Costs," by Donald Kemper, MPH, and Steven Schneider, MD, can be downloaded at www.healthwise.org.

Kemper and Schneider contend that the potential for predictive modeling remains largely untapped. Health plans and disease management companies routinely use predictive modeling to identify the future health care needs and costs of their members who are most ill. The authors provide how-to examples for reaching beyond the most intensively ill to help a far greater number of people to self-manage chronic illness in ways that improve health and reduce overall costs.

"Predictive modeling is approaching a tipping point for adding value to every health care experience," said Kemper, CEO of Healthwise. "Using predictive models to identify the moment in care of every patient can trigger information prescriptions to help each person make better health decisions. That means better health for patients and better bottom lines for their health plans."

Unlike free-floating health content on the Internet, information prescriptions -- called information therapy -- are delivered electronically to people right before or after a doctor visit, test, or surgery; when they receive medicine; or at any other specific moment in care. Information therapy can cover the full range of health issues, from decision guides for preventive services, to treatment decision support, to chronic disease management, and eventually to decisions about end-of-life care.

About Healthwise

Healthwise is a nonprofit organization that has been helping people make better health decisions since 1975. More than 60 million times a year, people turn to Healthwise(R) information for help in making health decisions. Healthwise works with hospitals, employers, clinics, and health plans to provide decision-support and self-management information to the people they serve. Healthwise is leading a major change in health care to prescribe information to patients as part of every health care encounter. To learn more, visit www.healthwise.org or call 800-706-9646.

Healthwise
Brenda Foster, 208.331.6963
bfoster@healthwise.org