Pillar

Research shows that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (F&V) can lead to better health and lower healthcare costs. Yet, surprisingly, less than 10% of adults and children in the U.S. consume adequate F&V. This week’s #ResearchwithPillar highlights a 2024 longitudinal cohort study from Children's National Hospital, published in Sage, examining the impact of a Produce Prescription Intervention (PRx) on food security (FS) and nutrition-related behaviors for families with children. ?? Study Details: The study enrolled 82 adult caregivers of children (ages 0-18) in a six-month intervention that included biweekly deliveries of 8 pounds of produce and virtual evidence-based nutrition education via a learning platform. Participants completed validated surveys pre- and post-intervention, as well as interviews to evaluate changes in food security scores and “Food Secure” status. Key Findings: ? FS scores significantly improved post-intervention, with a larger proportion of households and children moving into the "Food Secure" range (P < .05). ? Interviews identified three key themes: (1) the importance of healthcare-based screening, (2) the power of food and education in driving behavior change, and (3) sustainability perceptions post-intervention. ? Findings suggest that PRx programs may positively impact food security and health behaviors, potentially reducing diet-related disease risks in the long term. Sharing qualitative feedback from participants: ?? "Without the education, I wouldn’t know what to do with the produce." (P84) ?? "It was great to have someone?[through nutrition education]?help in the kitchen with me. Sometimes I don’t know how to cook something or like?[there’s]?a lot of different new foods that we will be able to try." (P136) ?? "The videos help me to learn how to properly store food away so it wouldn’t go bad so fast." (P116) #foodsecurity #foodasmedicine #patienteducation ---------- Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution, transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly platform centralizes access to healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our network of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out to learn more about Pillar: www.withpillar.com

Cognitive decline is a growing concern, with nearly 10% of U.S. adults aged 65+ affected by dementia and another 22% experiencing mild cognitive impairment, according to a recent national study by Columbia University. As interest in the food-as-medicine movement expands, so does exploration into how nutrition might support cognitive health. This week’s #ResearchwithPillar highlights a 2021 study from JAMA Neurology, conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, examining the association between long-term flavonoid intake and cognitive health. ?? Study Details: The study followed over 77,000 participants—49,493 women from the Nurses' Health Study and 27,842 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study—spanning nearly 25 years. Participants completed extensive dietary questionnaires to track their intake of flavonoids (found in foods like berries, citrus fruits, apples, celery, and peppers). Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) assessments were conducted from 2008 to 2014. Key Findings: ? Higher flavonoid intake was linked to a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline. Those in the highest quintile of flavonoid consumption had a 19% lower risk of SCD than those with the lowest intake. ? Among flavonoid types, flavones (found in foods like peppers and celery) and anthocyanins (found in berries) showed the strongest associations. The odds ratios for reduced SCD were 0.62 for flavones and 0.76 for anthocyanins (p < .001 for both). ? This study suggests that increasing dietary flavonoids, particularly flavones and anthocyanins, may support long-term cognitive health. ??? "Our study findings suggest that higher flavonoid intakes may help maintain cognitive function. Flavones, flavanones, and anthocyanins had the strongest apparent protective associations with SCD. These findings may suggest future interventional studies in search of possible therapeutic or preventive strategies for cognitive decline, including the possible effects of specific flavonoids on cognitive function and the effective dosage." #foodasmedicine #cognitivehealth #healthcoach ---------- Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution, transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly platform centralizes access to healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our network of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out to learn more about Pillar: www.withpillar.com

Chronic pain affects 10% of the world's population—approximately 60 million people—according to the International Association for the Study of Pain. For many, managing this pain can be overwhelming, especially with lower back pain, one of the most common forms. This week's #ResearchwithPillar spotlights a 2022 randomized controlled trial in JMIR Publications, which examined the impact of a digital home exercise program on lower back pain. The study included 213 participants: 108 were assigned to the intervention group, receiving 12 weeks of digital movement education and programming, while 105 were in the control group, receiving usual care comprising 6 -12 physiotherapy sessions. ?? The participants had to meet these criteria: aged 18+, diagnosed with nonspecific or degenerative lower back pain, and a pain score of ≥4 on the verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS). Key Findings: ? The intervention group experienced a clinically significant reduction in pain, with an average decrease of 53.1% (mean ?3.35 points on the VNRS). ? The control group showed only a modest reduction of 14.6% (mean ?0.91 points). ? At 12 weeks, the pain score difference between the two groups was statistically significant (mean difference of ?2.44, P<.01), favoring the intervention group. ? Retention rates remained high—89.9% in the intervention group and 97.3% in the control group. ???? "The results of the present study show that the use of a digital home exercise program can lead to a significant and clinically relevant reduction in patient-reported unspecific and degenerative back pain. Moreover, the results of the present study indicate that the reduction of self-reported pain intensity achievable with the digital therapeutic under investigation is superior to the reduction of self-reported pain intensity achieved with the standard of care." #painmanagement #digitalhealth #patienteducation ---------- Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution, transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly platform centralizes access to healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our network of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out to learn more about Pillar: www.withpillar.com

This year, the number of new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. will top 2 million for the first time, according to the American Cancer Society. Making decisions after a cancer diagnosis is tough for anyone— and even more challenging for historically marginalized communities. Patient navigation services can help patients and survivors get the care they need. But what exactly is patient navigation? Patient navigation provides individualized assistance to help patients overcome healthcare system barriers—from prevention and early detection to accessing quality health and psychosocial care. This week's #ResearchwithPillar spotlights a 2024 literature review by researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The review explores the critical impact of patient navigators in cancer treatment. ?? The systematic review identified studies on patient navigators in cancer care, published from August 1, 2009, to March 27, 2023. ?? It included 59 articles highlighting the role and effectiveness of patient navigation services. Key Findings: ? 87% of studies investigating patient satisfaction showed significant benefits. ? 81% of studies reported a positive impact of patient navigators on quality care indicators. ? 71% of studies focused on treatment adherence demonstrated significant improvements in treatment adherence. ? 70% found a significant improvement in treatment initiation for patients enrolled in patient navigation programs. ??? "The recent decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reimburse patient navigation services for cancer patients is a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of care for individuals grappling with cancer. By reimbursing these services, CMS encourages healthcare providers to invest in comprehensive patient care and promotes a holistic approach to cancer treatment." #patientnavigation #cancercare Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly platform centralizes access to healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our network of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out to learn more about Pillar: www.withpillar.com

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects millions worldwide, with an estimated 480 million cases in 2020, according to JAMA Global Health. As COPD progresses, many patients require long-term care, but healthcare professionals in these settings often lack adequate education. While patient education is critical, provider education is just as important to ensure that healthcare professionals can deliver high-quality care and effectively support disease management. This week's #ResearchwithPillar spotlights a 2022 randomized clinical trial published by Dove Medical Press that evaluated the impact of a digital COPD education program for health professionals working in long-term care. ?? The study included 37 healthcare professionals, randomized into two groups: 1?? Digital COPD education group 2?? Control group (no intervention) ?? The intervention group completed six digital modules over 12 weeks, each taking 20-30 minutes. Key Findings: ? COPD-specific knowledge increased by 14 -16 percentage points in the intervention group (p=0.001). ? Significant gains in knowledge across epidemiology (+18%), breathlessness (+26%), aetiology (16%), and follow-ups and tests (+20%) were reported in the intervention group. ? A 36% increase in self-reported knowledge in providing COPD-related care across self-management, health promotion healthcare services, and disease-specific education in the intervention group?(p=0.001). ??? "The digital COPD education program was feasible to use among healthcare professionals in long-term care, with satisfaction regarding content, structure and support. The digital program also increased the COPD-specific knowledge of the healthcare professionals who received this intervention. Increased knowledge lead to increased experiences of security, increased focus on COPD-related issues and discussions about COPD with other healthcare professionals. #COPD #providereducation #digitalhealth Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly platform centralizes access to healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our network of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out to learn more about Pillar: www.withpillar.com

Colorectal cancer has the third-highest incidence and second-highest mortality rate globally, with 1.5 million new cases each year. For many colorectal cancer patients, an enterostomy is often necessary following surgery. This week's #ResearchwithPillar spotlights a 2023 study by Peking University that evaluated the impact of health education on discharged enterostomy patients. ?? The study included 4,201 patients with enterostomy and measured the impact of health education on self-care abilities and psychosocial adaptation levels. ?? The health education intervention focused on enterostomy care, including complications and skin care, emphasizing the importance of self-care and encouraging patients to take an active role in managing their enterostomy. Key Findings: ? Self-care scores improved significantly after intervention, from baseline of 15.23 to 17.71 (P?<?0.05). ? Psychosocial adaptation scores also increased, from 44.59 at baseline to 50.25 after intervention (P < 0.05). ??? "Health education for enterostomy patients after discharge can improve their self-care ability and psychological adaptation." #patienteducation Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly platform centralizes access to healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our network of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out to learn more about Pillar: www.withpillar.com

About 5% of adults over the age of 20 have CAD or coronary artery disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide and in the U.S. alone, the healthcare costs for CAD are estimated to be more than $200 billion annually. This week's #ResearchwithPillar spotlights a 2024 cross-sectional survey study published in Springer Nature Group's BMC Journal. ?? The study assessed patients’ perceptions of using a digital patient education program (DPE) regarding end-user acceptance, usability, perceived significance for lifestyle changes, and achievement of secondary preventive goals in patients with coronary artery disease. ?? A total of 366 patients (mean age: 69.1?±?11.3 years, 20% female) diagnosed with CAD or acute coronary syndromes were given access to the DPE. ?? The DPE comprised educational content and short videos on CAD treatments, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, risk factors, heart, lung, and emotional health, and healthy lifestyle recommendations across diet, physical activity, alcohol, and tobacco use. Key Findings: ? 81% of patients found the DPE easy to learn to use, and 80% reported that the DPE was simple to use. ? 70% of patients reported written information provided good support, 66% perceived the short video clips as good support, and 76% found the overall scope of the DPE satisfying. ? More than 60% of patients reported that the DPE increased their knowledge about treatment goals for blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, pharmacological treatment, and exercise-based cardiac rehab. ? The majority of patients (70%) would use the DPE again, 64% accepted the DPE as a way of receiving healthcare services and 69% were generally satisfied with it. ??? "In our study, the DPE was delivered on a web-based platform and included written information, short video clips, and illustrations. This study shows an overall high level of patient acceptance and usability of the DPE, which supports its continued development and long-term role in cardiac rehabilitation in patients with CAD." #heartdisease #patienteducation #digitalhealth Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly platform centralizes access to healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our network of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out to learn more about Pillar: www.withpillar.com

The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people worldwide, have a form of lupus with the majority (90%) being women. This complex condition can range from skin and joint issues to life-threatening organ failure, highlighting the need for greater awareness and education. This week's #ResearchwithPillar spotlights a 2024 systematic scoping review by Emory University, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which evaluated the content, characteristics, and effectiveness of digital self-management (SM) education programs for lupus. ?? 1,969 articles were identified through the search, with 14 meeting inclusion criteria. Key Findings: ? Programs covered five conditions: epilepsy, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. ? Common features of digital SM education include internet-based asynchronous delivery, 6- to 12-week program lengths, and some form of peer or specialist support. ? Most programs (67%) showed statistically significant improvements in symptoms. ??? "Throughout the review, we found diverse conceptualizations of SM and varied approaches to SM education across programs. We found that, regardless of the theory base and SM skills imparted to participants, these programs often improved targeted symptoms, and some also improved self-efficacy and quality of life. These findings offer evidence that developing digital SM education for lupus has the potential to benefit patients." #patienteducation #digitalhealth #lupus Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly platform centralizes access to healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our network of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out to learn more about Pillar: www.withpillar.com

Building healthy habits before pregnancy is one of the best ways to ensure a positive start for both parent and baby. In a world where unhealthy habits like poor diet and lack of exercise are all too common, taking control of your health before conception can make a significant difference. This week's #ResearchwithPillar highlights a 2024 study by Monash University that evaluated the engagement and acceptability of a digital preconception intervention. The intervention comprised digital educational materials, ongoing text messaging, and remotely delivered health coaching via telephone & video. ?? Participants: 298 women aged 18-44 planning to conceive within 12 months. ?? Intervention Groups: n=153 randomized to telephone coaching and n=145 to video coaching; both groups received digital educational materials covering lifestyle topics, including nutrition and physical activity. ?? Coaching Sessions: Delivered one-on-one at 1-4 weeks after enrollment and again 6-8 weeks later. Key Findings: ? 76.2% attended both coaching sessions, with similar participation rates for telehealth (75.2%) and videoconferencing (77.2%) (p?= 0.469) ? All participants logged into the digital platform, with 90.6% accessing educational materials and 91.3% using behavior change tools. ? Post-intervention evaluation (n?= 217 participants) demonstrated that approximately 90% found the digital module engaging, meeting information needs, would recommend the program, and were satisfied with the support. ??? "The most valued intervention component was personalized coaching, and encouragingly, delivery via telephone or videoconference did not alter engagement or acceptability. Intervention components supporting the individualized health coaching and the digital platform were highly accessed but with declining engagement over time. Overall, these results emphasize the importance of personalized, individual coaching as a cornerstone of healthy lifestyle intervention designs with flexibility in delivery methods to maximize program acceptability." #fertility #reproductivehealth #healthcoaching ----- Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly experience centralizes access to their suite of healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar’s platform simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling our partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our leading workforce of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out and learn more about Pillar: https://withpillar.com/

With the rise of AI, more patients are turning to platforms like ChatGPT for medical advice, particularly in areas like sexual health, where stigma can make discussing concerns with providers uncomfortable. But how do AI-generated patient education materials compare to trusted sources like the Urology Care Foundation (UCF)? This week's #ResearchwithPillar highlights a 2024 study by Sidney Kimmel Medical College and NYU Langone Health's Department of Urology that compared patient education content on men’s health conditions generated by ChatGPT vs UCF— the official foundation of the American Urological Association. Methods: ?? Compared ChatGPT responses and UCF materials using actual patient questions. ?? Performed textual analysis focusing on sentence structure, word count, syllable count, and readability, assessed with six validated formulas. ?? Two physicians independently evaluated each response for accuracy, comprehensiveness, and understandability. Key Insights: ? Readability: Both UCF and ChatGPT materials failed to meet official readability standards, with ChatGPT performing significantly worse across all six health topics (P<.001). ? Complexity and Simplification: ChatGPT responses were longer, more verbose, and used more complex words.?However, when prompted to simplify, ChatGPT exceeded UCF’s readability for some topics, even meeting national guidelines for two of them. ? Content Quality: While UCF and ChatGPT demonstrated comparable accuracy, ChatGPT scored higher for comprehensiveness but lower for understandability. ??? "When comparing readability, ChatGPT-generated education is less accessible than provider-written content, although neither meets the recommended level. Our analysis indicates that specific artificial intelligence prompts can simplify educational materials to meet national standards and accommodate individual literacy." #sexualhealth #patienteducation #chatgpt ----- Pillar is a white-label care enablement solution transforming how organizations scale engagement with their resources. Our mobile-friendly experience centralizes access to their suite of healthcare services, digital benefits, and educational programming while surfacing the right resource at the right time using automated navigation workflows. Pillar’s platform simultaneously captures engagement, satisfaction, and utilization data, enabling our partners to maximize the value of their resources and improve operational efficiency. For organizations seeking human-led engagement, Pillar offers staffing and placement solutions from our leading workforce of over 1,000 vetted health coaching providers. Healthcare partners, reach out and learn more about Pillar here: https://withpillar.com/