Uber is partnering with Grand Rounds, a health technology startup, to work toward employers covering the cost of an employee’s trip to the doctor’s office. Consumers would book an Uber ride via a phone call with Grand Rounds care coordinators, who could also discuss higher-quality doctors who may be further away. (CNBC)
Merck has begun searching internally for its next CEO. Potential candidates include chief marketing officer Michael Nally, chief financial officer Robert Davis and chief commercial officer Frank Clyburn. A change to the mandatory retirement age was made in September, allowing current CEO Kenneth Frazier to remain in his position past 2019. (Bloomberg)
Juul has criticized San Francisco’s vote to ban the sale of e-cigarettes. The company said the measure would not combat teen use or the use of cigarettes. If approved in a final vote and signed off by Mayor London Breed, San Francisco would be the first city to pass an e-cigarette ban. (CNBC)
Researchers at the University of Washington have trained digital tools to recognize sounds of cardiac arrest. Using 9-1-1 recordings and sleep lab audio clips, smartphones and digital assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa were able to determine if someone is experiencing agonal breathing or simply sleeping. The scientists hope to expand the study to hospitals and retirement homes. (STAT)
Some brands and agencies are just trying too hard when it comes to creating what they hope are award-winning campaigns focused on developing countries. Instead, they should draw up campaigns that actually raise the standard of care in underdeveloped regions, argues Ogilvy Health Australia chief creative officer Toby Pickford in a guest op-ed. (MM&M)
