FFWD had the privilege of speaking with Georgina Kyriakoudes, the founder of Aria Health, a patient-driven health data platform that aims to empower individuals and revolutionize healthcare. Aria Health's platform empowers patients by granting them ownership and control over their medical data. Patients can actively contribute to breakthrough medical research and play an active role in shaping the future of healthcare. The platform also ensures the security and transparency of health data transactions through a privacy-by-design protocol that utilizes blockchain technology.

The inspiration behind Aria Health came from a personal experience where a four-hour wait for medical history almost cost a life. Realizing the lack of access to vital health data, Georgina and her co-founder recognized the potential of blockchain technology to address this pressing issue.

In the following interview, Georgina discusses the challenges faced in implementing blockchain technology in the healthcare sector, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder education and collaboration with regulatory authorities. Furthermore, she delves into the future of blockchain technology, notable trends in healthcare and explains how she envisions Aria Health's platform evolving into a comprehensive ecosystem that incorporates cutting-edge advancements such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Aria was born from a personal experience that highlighted a critical need for change in healthcare. When my co-founder's wife was rushed to the hospital in severe pain, she endured a four-hour wait while medical staff searched for her medical history. Fortunately, a doctor who knew her happened to be present and recognized the urgency. An ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed, and emergency surgery was performed to save her life. This incident made us realize the lack of access to our most vital information: our health data.

At that time, I was pursuing my Master's in Blockchain and contemplating my thesis topic. We recognized the potential of blockchain technology, designed to empower individuals with data ownership, to address this pressing issue. Thus, Aria Health was born. Aria Health is a patient-driven health data platform that seeks to empower individuals and revolutionize healthcare. We envision a future where the patient takes centre stage, supported by a harmonious orchestra of healthcare professionals and organizations. Inspired by the concept of an operatic aria, we aim to amplify the voice of every patient, allowing them to play the lead role in their own healthcare journey.

Aria empowers patients by granting them ownership and control over their medical data. Health data holds immense value, and patients have the right to access and leverage this value. With Aria, patients can actively contribute to breakthrough medical research, empowering healthcare advancements and innovations. By securely sharing their data, patients learn how their information is making a difference and play an active role in shaping the future of healthcare. In addition, Aria provides financial incentives to reward patients for their valuable contributions. Through transparent data sharing and collaborative partnerships, Aria connects patients with the healthcare industry, creating a powerful ecosystem that benefits patients, researchers, and the healthcare community as a whole.

At Aria Health, we take privacy and security to the next level by implementing a privacy-by-design protocol that utilizes blockchain technology. We understand that sharing health data raises privacy concerns, and that’s exactly the problem we are solving by developing a unique approach to ensure the utmost security and transparency.

Each patient's data is stored in their private wallet on the blockchain, ensuring that even Aria Health cannot access it. We empower patients by granting them full control over their health information, surpassing traditional data protection measures. Patients determine who can access their data and for what purposes. The decentralized nature of blockchain provides transparency through auditable and tamper-proof records for health data transactions. Our platform is all about allowing patients to securely share their data while maintaining complete ownership and confidentiality.

Implementing innovation in traditional industries like healthcare brings its fair share of challenges. We have proactively addressed these challenges through stakeholder education and awareness. Our efforts encompass educating healthcare professionals and institutions about the robust data security measures we have in place to safeguard patient information. We also actively engage with regulatory authorities, collaborating closely with legal and regulatory experts to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and ensure compliance. Furthermore, we prioritize educating everyday users, highlighting the tangible benefits they can experience by adopting our innovative solution. By fostering understanding and awareness among all stakeholders, we strive to overcome challenges and drive positive change in the healthcare industry.

At Aria Health, we envision our platform evolving and expanding in the coming years to become a comprehensive ecosystem that revolutionizes the healthcare industry. We will continue to enhance our technology, incorporating cutting-edge advancements such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide personalized healthcare insights and recommendations. Additionally, we aim to expand our network of partnerships with healthcare providers and research institutions, fostering collaborative efforts to advance medical research and treatment outcomes. Through continuous innovation and a patient-centric approach, we strive to be at the forefront of transforming healthcare delivery and driving positive change for patients worldwide.

The global blockchain in healthcare market is projected to reach a substantial worth of $126 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. This highlights the significant potential and growth expected in the industry. Looking ahead, several key trends are expected. Adoption of blockchain for secure and interoperable health data exchange is set to increase, ensuring data integrity and privacy. Streamlining administrative tasks through blockchain-based smart contracts will enhance transparency and efficiency. The application of blockchain in precision medicine and personalized healthcare will enable tailored treatment plans. Additionally, blockchain's impact on clinical trials will revolutionize research and development, leading to faster approvals and improved patient safety. These trends collectively indicate a promising future for blockchain in healthcare, driving innovation and transforming the industry.

Aria has launched at Ygia Polyclinic and American Medical Center so you can download the “Aria Patient” app now to access and own all your laboratory results saying goodbye to confusing reports and hello to a user-friendly and engaging experience. Empower yourself with the knowledge and insights you need to make informed decisions about your health!

What: Aria Health

Where: Limassol, Cyprus

More Info: myaria.health

Who: Georgina is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in finance, healthcare, and blockchain technology. Georgina gained her Chartered Accountancy (ACCA) qualification at PwC London, where she specialized in healthcare auditing for leading pharmaceutical and health data companies at both PwC and Deloitte. As one of the early adopters, Georgina was among the first 40 individuals worldwide to obtain a Master's degree in Blockchain in 2018. Her Master's thesis on Medical Records and Blockchain was published in the esteemed medical journal, The Lancet. Georgina is the visionary founder of Aria Health, a leading healthcare blockchain company that is pioneering a patient-driven health data platform. Beyond her professional achievements, Georgina actively advocates for women in business through her involvement with the European Female Founders Forum and champions policies supporting working mothers, drawing from her own experience as a mother.