07-Aug-16 Businesses in Japan are looking to cash in on the potential for smartphones and wearable devices as health care trends toward the digital age. They are especially interested in preventive medicine, an area that could help Japan slash its ballooning medical costs. But the environment for startups in Japan is making it difficult to find a viable business model. [image: IStock / The Japan Times]

07-Aug-16 To overcome lacunae, such as lack of adequate doctors and staff in public health institutions, and ensure that medical care is made available promptly to people in far-flung areas, the Maharashtra state government is planning to enable electronic diagnosis and treatment through telemedicine. [image: DNA India]

05-Aug-16 New research shows one in four chronically ill Australians is skipping healthcare because of high costs. James Cook University said the situation was significantly worse in Australia than in Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany. The study found that more than one-third of people with asthma, emphysema and COPD could not afford the treatment they needed. [image: ABC North Queensland / Nathalie Fernbach]

05-Aug-16 The latest reform of China's health system will see patients sign contracts with physicians for basic medical needs. According to the State Council, pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with chronic diseases are the prime targets of the new system. The initiative is intended to make services more accessible to the public and reduce overall medical costs. [image: China Daily]

04-Aug-16 AXA Singapore has launched a health app that provides users with access to medical advice from GPs via live chat or secure “face-to-face” video call. This is the first time an insurer is offering such a service in Asia. The mobile app will also allow customers to manage their healthcare experience by submitting and tracking their health claims online. [image: AXA]