Why It's Time to Rethink the Health Data Economy | Entrepreneur

"One of the most valuable commodities of our time now flows through our algorithms, powers the devices tracking our movements and fuels the newest health innovations - our data. The list of items tracked is staggering, ranging from every step we take to our heartbeats and everything in between. These moments are fueling a booming healthtech economy built on a skewed exchange: People generate data, and companies extract the value."

"However, that architecture is cracking. Almost 193 million people are estimated to have been affected by the largest healthcare breach on record, the 2024 Change Healthcare attack. In 2024 alone, at least 14 data breaches hit one million patient records, with almost 238 million people exposed across these incidents. If our most valuable asset can leak at that scale, it would be fair to say data extraction isn't just a moral grey area, but it's operationally unsound as well."

"In recent times, consumers have begun telling founders what they want instead: control. In April 2025, Pew reported 55% of U.S. citizens wanted more personal control over how AI is used in their own lives. This showcases a demand for agency in the new systems shaping our healthcare choices. There is one fundamental thing entrepreneurs and founders should understand when building healthcare platforms today - treating your contributors as stakeholders rather than subjects will go a long way."

Digital health data has become a critical asset collected from steps, heartbeats and many personal metrics, fueling a healthtech economy that often extracts value from contributors. Massive breaches in 2024, including the Change Healthcare attack affecting almost 193 million people and at least 14 breaches exposing nearly 238 million records, reveal structural risk and operational unsoundness. Public sentiment is shifting toward agency, with 55% of U.S. citizens in April 2025 wanting more personal control over AI use. Entrepreneurs should treat contributors as stakeholders by offering compensation, early access, analytics or credits to align incentives and improve data quality and trust.

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