Judging by the numbers, digital health companies had another huge year in 2019.
Total investment in the sector was expected to reach a record $8.4 billion, as firms raked in cash to develop novel wearables, personalized digital services, and machine learning tools to improve treatment of debilitating diseases. Several companies also entered the public markets, and tech giants such as Apple (APPL), Amazon, Google, and Microsoft (MSFT) ramped up their health investments and recruitment of clinical leaders.
But much of that activity is fueled by hype and hope. Heading into the new year, digital health companies will face more pressure — and potential collapse — if they don’t deliver results for their clients and financial backers. In the political realm, many of the biggest players will also be forced to address privacy issues and concerns about bias in algorithms used to deliver, or restrict, health services for tens of millions of Americans.
