BLOG POST
The HLTH 2024 conference covered major topics like generative AI, women’s health, weight loss medications, longevity and preventive health, and health equity.
The energy at HLTH 2024, one of the healthcare industry’s biggest events covering innovation, was electric, with more than 12,000 industry innovators, executives, famous figures and investors converging on Las Vegas to discuss the cutting-edge ideas shaping the future of healthcare. HLTH 2024 was all about what it means to “be bold”—pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible in health.
“HLTH is always one of the best conferences of the year,” said Ryan Mazar, Associate Director of Client Experience, Phreesia Life Sciences. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with peers and partners and talk about the exciting future of healthcare.”
So, what were the hot topics of conversation this year?
1. Generative AI returns to the main stage
A hot topic in 2023 and again this year was generative AI’s (GenAI) transformative role (both its promise and challenges), as leaders discussed how to responsibly use AI in healthcare. During a panel discussion about GenAI and the life sciences industry, leaders from Eli Lilly, HLTH Community, Bayer and Amgen explored how GenAI is making an impact across the entire development lifecycle, from drug discovery and side effect prediction to clinical trials, personalized medicine and supply chain management.
“It is exciting to see how these organizations are leveraging GenAI and other technologies,” Mazar said. “For instance, Ramesh Durvasula from Lilly shared how the company has used GenAI to streamline operations and automate time-intensive tasks. Their AI initiatives have saved an estimated 1.4 million hours of human activity. That’s incredible.”
Other sessions throughout the conference focused on how AI is enhancing healthcare delivery by providing personalized insights and improving patient care, and how it can address challenges like data overload.
2. GLP-1 medications spark a health revolution
In 2023, U.S. spending on GLP-1s surged past $50 billion, so it should come as no surprise that HLTH 2024 was packed with discussions about the promise and challenges of these treatments. More than 130 million Americans are eligible for GLP-1 medications, but many struggle to get the medication covered by insurance, making it difficult to access the treatment.
Speakers also tackled the stigma around obesity head on, noting that obesity is often mislabeled as a lifestyle choice rather than a chronic disease. The media’s portrayal of obesity adds to the problem, as it often dehumanizes overweight people and makes it more difficult for people to seek treatment without feeling judged or embarrassed.
“One message was abundantly clear within every conversation about GLP-1 medications,” said Kristin McHugh, Senior Client Experience Manager, Phreesia Life Sciences. “There is a need for more real-time and longitudinal data, as well as a need for a more personalized patient-centric approach to treating the epidemic.”
3. Women’s health gains national attention
Women’s health was a popular theme this year, and rightly so. It wasn’t until 1993—just 31 years ago—that the U.S. Congress passed a law requiring the inclusion of women in clinical research. Even still, women’s health conditions only represent 1% of healthcare research outside of oncology.
On Monday afternoon, Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry took to the main stage to discuss women’s longevity and menopause. Halle Berry introduced the launch of her company Respin, a digital community focused on perimenopause and menopausal health. Berry shared what she feels is needed to help women navigate menopause: community, content, commerce and care—the “four Cs” that are driving the relaunch of her company.
“It was beyond inspiring to see support finally being given for better health for all women, from research to resources,” McHugh said. “The overwhelming sense of community was powerful.”
Other conversations around reproductive rights and funding for women’s health research were also key issues. On the final morning of the conference, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden gave a keynote address, emphasizing the need for increased research and funding in women’s health.
“Even though half the country will go through menopause at some point in their lives, it seems like women’s bodies are considered miracles when we’re in our childbearing years and mysteries as we age,” Dr. Biden said. “I knew this had to change.”
“One key thing that stood out to me was Maria Shriver’s discussion on the lack of research into women’s health,” said Pamela Arbelaez, Associate Director of Partnerships and Innovations, Phreesia Life Sciences. “Despite women being affected by many diseases at higher rates, the causes are often not investigated. It was particularly striking to learn that women spend, on average, 25% more time in poor health than men, underscoring the urgent need for more focus on improving women’s healthcare.”
4. Longevity becomes a key focus
Longevity was also a major focus at HLTH 2024, with sessions highlighting innovative strategies to help people age into their 100s. Experts shared a range of approaches, from fostering positive mindsets around aging, which are linked to healthier habits and lower chronic illness risk, to more advanced methods, like biometric tracking through biosensors and body scans that can preemptively detect diseases.
Wearable tech also stood out, with devices like glucose monitors and the Oura Ring empowering individuals to track real-time health metrics and giving them greater control over their well-being and health.
“I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 3, and as an adolescent, I never thought something like a Dexcom monitor was possible,” McHugh said. “Listening to patient advocate Kesha Carter talk about how Dexcom helps to ‘make sure there are no limits with diabetes’ really struck a chord. It’s inspiring to see organizations like Dexcom and so many others dedicate every day to easing the burden of diabetes and many other chronic illnesses.”
Across sessions, the shared goal was clear: to enable longer, healthier lives by combining medical innovations with lifestyle support systems that address both physical and social needs.
“I heard someone at HLTH say, ‘There is a rising wave of healthcare consumerism.’ This theme was evident throughout many of the presentations at HLTH,” Arbelaez said. “The sessions reinforced how important it is for healthcare to continue delivering innovative solutions that align with patients’ real-life needs.”
5. Improving health equity needs to be a goal for everyone
Health equity was a hot topic during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the focus on equity has waned in recent years. Fortunately, this year, health equity took a prominent place at HLTH 2024, with sessions that explored the challenges and innovations needed to bridge gaps in care for underserved and underrepresented populations. In one conversation, artist and entrepreneur John Legend joined Vanessa Broadhurst, EVP of Global Corporate Affairs at Johnson & Johnson, to discuss access to quality healthcare.
During the conversation, Legend and Broadhurst highlighted significant gaps in the industry, especially in representing the diverse U.S. population in product development—particularly in skincare.
To address this, Legend launched Loved01, a skincare line designed for melanin-rich skin, aiming to meet an unmet need in dermatology. People of color, who make up 40% of the population, are often not included in dermatology product testing—a gap that Loved01 seeks to fill.
Another session explored how AI-powered wearables are bridging accessibility gaps and empowering visually impaired individuals. Be My Eyes, in partnership with Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, showcased how AI and live video support can provide blind and low-vision individuals with hands-free accessibility.
“The clear call to action in these two sessions was to consider all patients from the beginning,” Mazar said.
Singer Lenny Kravitz also joined conversations around health equity, discussing how providing comprehensive care to underserved communities can profoundly impact people’s lives and advance health equity.
“One of the things I love most about the HLTH conference is how motivated I feel when I leave,” Mazar said. “It’s inspiring to see how so many organizations and people are finding ways to meet unmet needs in different populations and improve healthcare.”
