Joseph Kvedar, MD

Prof @Harvardmed; Sr Advisor @MassGenBrigham; Editor-in-Chief @npjDigitalMed; Immediate Past Board Chair @AmericanTelemed; focused on #telehealth #virtualcare

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday!

September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60–80% of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s affects more than memory. It can impact thinking, communication, behavior, and everyday life.

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day.

A simple check in can make a difference. Let’s reach out, listen, and remind one another that we are never alone.

If you’re struggling, call or text 988 for support 24/7.

[npj Digital Medicine @npjDigitalMed]

This week on The Digital Pulse, we sat down with @tdazad, @suchisaria, and @HealthPrivacy to ask what Henrietta Lacks can teach us about medical AI.

We got into why HIPAA may not be enough for the era of generative AI, whether meaningful informed consent is possible at the scale modern AI requires, what patients should know about where their data goes, and who should decide when health data can be commercialized.

And whether the answer is more consent—or more transparency.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:22 Ethics and privacy concerns
02:49 What Henrietta Lacks can teach us about AI
06:21 Is HIPAA enough?
10:14 Data brokers and where health data comes from
11:30 Patient data and AI
15:35 The limits of informed consent
17:15 What real data transparency could look like
22:52 Can transparency work at the bedside?
25:05 Commercialization and ethics boards
28:51 Independent vs. university ethics boards
32:28 Building a clinical intelligence platform
37:03 Tech mindset vs. regulation
40:00 The cost of bureaucracy
42:11 Closing thoughts

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know September is Healthy Aging Month?

Only 38.4% of U.S. adults age 65 and older met the federal guidelines for aerobic physical activity in 2024.

For more info on healthy aging, here’s the link to my book! 🔗

https://t.co/Shzc9NfTEM

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday! 💜

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day dedicated to remembering lives lost to overdose, supporting those affected, and raising awareness that overdose deaths are preventable.

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

A forward-looking discussion on how AI, biomarkers, and digital medicine may converge to shape the future of personalized healthcare.

Thank you to Emily from Rudiment Skincare!

https://t.co/7X1yKHiMXI

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday!

In honor of National Senior Citizens Day, here’s a fun fact: Older adults play an important role in our communities, sharing a lifetime of knowledge, experience, and perspective with future generations.👏

[npj Digital Medicine @npjDigitalMed]

Tune in for the live recording of our latest podcast tomorrow, Friday August 21 at 3:30 PM.

We will discuss what the Henrietta Lacks story can teach us about the ethics of medical AI

https://t.co/5lamgCxKlZ

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Thank you to @SiwickiHealthIT & @HealthITNews for such an important conversation about the future of virtual care.

https://t.co/RPC1WT1yaj

[npj Digital Medicine @npjDigitalMed]

A Stanford survey asked 1,871 US adults whether they use chatbots for their mental health. 24% said yes.

Rescaled against national LLM use rates, the authors estimate 14 to 18 million American adults.

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday!🌿

August is National Wellness Month!

Mental, emotional, social, and financial well being all play a role in our overall health. Regular physical activity, nutritious food, quality sleep, stress management & healthcare all play a role in lifelong wellness.

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday!

August 7th is Purple Heart Day 💜

As the child of a father who fought in World War II, this day holds special meaning for me. Today, we honor the brave men and women who were wounded or made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Check out @cassyniapp seminar "Lessons from Henrietta Lacks " presented by @benmazer and Deven McGraw and @jkvedar and Suchi Saria and @tdazad

📅 Friday 21st Aug 2026
⏰ 15.30 PM (EDT)
📄 10.1038/s41746-025-01656-5
https://t.co/0dzqBNYRgo

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday! 🛟

Today is #InternationalLifeguardAppreciationDay! Lifeguards are among the most sun exposed professionals, increasing their risk of UV damage and skin cancer.

Remember:
☀️ SPF 50+
🕶️ UV sunglasses
👕 UPF clothing
🏖️ Seek shade when you can

[npj Digital Medicine @npjDigitalMed]

Hear from Stanford and Microsoft researchers! We'll be discussing physician-AI collaboration at the live recording of our podcast at 6pm TODAY! Listen here:

https://t.co/5GILPloeVs

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday!

Today is National Heart-Brain Health Day! Healthy habits like managing blood pressure, exercising regularly, and eating a heart healthy diet don’t just protect your heart, they also help reduce the risk of stroke and dementia. Every healthy choice counts!

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday!

July is UV Safety Awareness Month! Did you know up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate clouds? That means sunscreen isn't just for sunny days.

SPF 50+, sunglasses, a hat, and shade can go a long way in protecting your skin and eyes.

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday!

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest days for ER visits due to fireworks injuries.

Celebrate safely:
💥 Leave fireworks to the pros.
💧 Keep water nearby.
🚫 Never relight a dud.

Have fun and keep all 10 fingers! 🇺🇸🎇

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

I had a great time catching up with my friend and colleague @DrKyraBobinet on the podcast Unstoppable Brain. It is worth watching/listening to!

You can find it on YouTube as well as Spotify linked below:

https://t.co/QGnalXdPTC

https://t.co/jQ1V8WHi3J

[Joseph Kvedar, MD @jkvedar]

Happy Fun Fact Friday! 💙

Today, June 26, is World Drug Day. This year's theme is "The evidence is clear: invest in prevention.”

Addiction is considered a chronic disease, meaning recovery often requires lifelong care and support, just like managing diabetes or heart disease.