The Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) is excited to announce a major milestone in its commitment to aiding individuals with chronic diseases. ArthritisPower, a respected disease tracking platform and research registry since 2014, has evolved into PatientSpot — a comprehensive platform focused on offering support through education, conducting patient-centered research, and amplifying the voices of those living with chronic diseases to raise awareness. PatientSpot is now recognized as a Class 1 medical device by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) proudly announces the transformation of ArthritisPower into PatientSpot, marking a significant step in its commitment to supporting individuals with chronic diseases. PatientSpot, now recognized as a Class 1 medical device by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), expands its focus beyond arthritis to serve the broader chronic disease community.
Erik Stone, MA, Associate Director of Learning Experience Design at GHLF, notes that PatientSpot addresses the complex physical and emotional challenges faced by patients navigating multiple chronic conditions alongside arthritis. By welcoming patients with any chronic condition, PatientSpot establishes itself as a truly disease-agnostic platform.
A Glimpse into the Future of Healthcare
Louis Tharp, Co-Founder and Executive Director of GHLF, envisions PatientSpot as the future of healthcare, emphasizing its patient-centered approach. As PatientSpot matures, it will incorporate patient-inspired artificial intelligence and machine learning to create various tools, including a confidential patient companion, a knowledgeable decision-making team member, and a secure repository for health data from wearables and other devices.
Tharp highlights the importance of patient-reported outcomes and data in driving more accurate and compassionate patient-initiated therapeutic protocols. With over 700,000 monthly visitors to GHLF websites, PatientSpot aims to provide patients with a familiar and supportive environment where they can share both data and personal experiences to accurately portray their health status.
Empowering Patients: The Legacy of ArthritisPower
Established in 2014 by GHLF’s digital community CreakyJoints in partnership with researchers from the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), ArthritisPower emerged as a nationwide research registry focusing on rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions (RMD). More than 45,000 participants have contributed real-time data, leading to over 75 peer-reviewed articles, presentations, and posters.
Reflecting on ArthritisPower’s history, Shilpa Venkatachalam, PhD, MPH, Chief Patient-Centered Research and Ethical Oversight Officer, emphasizes its role in bridging the gap between patient experiences and scientific insights.
A Grateful Acknowledgment
As PatientSpot embarks on this new journey, GHLF expresses gratitude to the patients who have contributed to ArthritisPower over the years. Their dedication has been instrumental in shaping PatientSpot as a comprehensive resource for individuals managing chronic diseases.
Seth Ginsberg, Co-Founder and President of GHLF, emphasizes the importance of patient feedback in guiding GHLF’s initiatives and mission, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to ensuring patient voices continue to lead the way.
About Global Healthy Living Foundation
The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses through education, research, support, advocacy, and policy research. GHLF is the parent organization of CreakyJoints, a digital community for arthritis patients worldwide. GHLF supports patients across various medical specialties, drawing millions of visitors to its websites and social media platforms each month.
