Platforms And Pandemics: Embracing Digital Health Platform Disruption In The Covid-19 Era

Of the key lessons that Covid-19 has served up on a silver platter, one of the clearest takeaways is that the U.S. healthcare system is not set up to handle a public health pandemic like the novel coronavirus.

From the crippling fragmentation of the delivery system and challenges with care access, to the lack of information transparency and connectivity, the industry’s capabilities and infrastructure have been pushed to the limits as the Covid-19 pandemic rages on. At the same time, the current environment continues to shine a light on just how well positioned digital platforms - which bring together users of different types (think of Lyft bringing together riders and drivers) - are to address the many deficiencies the pandemic has contributed to and revealed.