News From Around the Web
> Digital health company Jiff has launched a new software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that allows health plans, providers and employers to develop digital health applications designed to engage consumers. Companies will be able to develop apps that support weight-loss, diet-tracking and diabetes-management programs, Derek Newell, CEO of Jiff, told eWeek. The Jiff platform offers a Web and Apple iOS software development kit for building consumer health apps. Article
> GSMA announced a first-of-its-kind clinical study for its mHealth Grand Tour in September 2013, which is designed to raise awareness of diabetes and promote the development and delivery of mHealth solutions in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation European Region (IDF Europe). The 13-day cycle ride will feature a live research study of the effects of multi-day endurance exercise on blood glucose levels for up to 36 volunteer riders on the tour, using data captured and transmitted wirelessly through a collaborative technical solution provided by ANT+, Dexcom and Orange. Article
> Mobile health developer Tactio Health Group's flagship mHealth iPhone/iPad app TactioHealth now integrates a Diabetes Management add-on option that helps with glucose tracking, prescription compliance and day-to-day education. TactioDiabetes is now available for download from the AppStore as an in-app purchase within TactioHealth App for $2.99 from the Glucose Page. TactioDiabetes is a diabetes-management tool that helps patients easily track several aspects of their diabetes lifestyle. Article
EMR News
> Electronic health records, which have long been maligned as disruptive to the patient/physician relationship, can be used to enhance communication and interaction, according to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The authors, physicians from the National Institutes of Health, note that EHRs already can be used for electronic messaging with patients, and to provide patient's access to their records and educational resources. But EHRs also create "new possibilities" to encourage dialogue and have a positive effect, they say. Article
Healthcare IT News
> Roughly 300 medical devices from 40 vendors were found to have password vulnerability problems, according to an alert recently issued by the Department of Homeland Security. The vulnerabilities, GovInfoSecurity reported, were discovered by a pair of researchers working for Irvine, Calif.-based security vendor Cyclance. One of those researchers--Billy Rios--told GovInfoSecurity that that he and his colleague found the vulnerabilities in "backdoor passwords" typically only known to vendors. Article
And Finally… Battle of illegal vs. legal vices. Article