The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), an independent entity of the National Institutes of Health, is taking a bold step to address healthcare access disparities in rural areas. The agency aims to create a scalable vehicle platform that can deliver advanced medical services outside of traditional hospital settings.
Rural populations in the U.S. face higher rates of heart disease, cancer, trauma, lung disease, and stroke compared to their urban counterparts, as highlighted in ARPA-H’s draft solicitation document. Dr. Bon Ku, the program manager for ARPA-H’s PARADIGM initiative, emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in how care is provided to rural Americans.
The envisioned solution involves the development of rugged electric vehicles equipped with advanced medical services, creating mobile-care delivery platforms. These platforms would host various medical devices capable of treating a wide range of health conditions, all designed to be lighter, faster, and interconnected.
ARPA-H’s PARADIGM initiative aims to pioneer developments in point-of-care diagnostics, seamless data exchange between medical devices and electronic health records, and real-time guidance for medical tasks. Key components include the creation of a miniaturized self-shielded CT scanner, substantial reductions in size, weight, and power consumption, as well as software connecting remote medical devices with electronic health records for real-time decision support.
The proposed mobile health centers aim to empower rural healthcare workers to perform functions beyond their usual training, thereby enhancing early detection, disease management, and overall access to care. Health systems are intended to test these platforms nationwide to evaluate clinical efficacy and financial sustainability.
ARPA-H plans to host an event for applying teams in Phoenix, Arizona, during the week of February 12, with PARADIGM abstracts due on February 27 and full proposals in April.
This initiative aligns with the broader trend of leveraging technology to extend healthcare services beyond traditional settings, addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities. By envisioning mobile-care delivery platforms, ARPA-H seeks to revolutionize access to advanced hospital-level care, akin to how telehealth transformed primary care and mental health services.
