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In this episode of Up, Up & Away, host Dom Burch sits down with Yinka Sholaja, a clinical project manager and passionate advocate for digital health innovation, particularly in the management of sickle cell disease.

Yinka shares her personal connection to the disease, her journey into clinical research, and how digital health tools—like the Digital Health Passport—can empower patients, track symptoms, and provide essential resources. The discussion delves into health inequalities, the importance of community support, and the potential of AI and machine learning in transforming healthcare accessibility.

Key Themes & Takeaways

1. Digital Health & Sickle Cell Disease
   • Yinka emphasises the importance of digital health solutions for managing chronic conditions like sickle cell disease.
2. Health Inequalities & The Need for Innovation
   • Yinka highlights disparities in healthcare, especially for marginalised communities.
   • She stresses the importance of improving access to quality care and tackling health inequalities.
   • Her experience in Nigeria shaped her passion for addressing these challenges.
3. The Role of Technology in Patient Empowerment
   • Yinka discusses the potential of digital health tools, particularly the Digital Health Passport, to help patients track symptoms, manage pain, and receive health alerts.
   • She points out that providing people with the right tools can significantly improve their health outcomes.
   • AI and machine learning hold promise for enhancing healthcare accessibility and effectiveness.
4. Community Support & Patient Voice
   • The importance of a sense of community for individuals living with sickle cell disease is emphasised.
   • Patients benefit from shared experiences, support networks, and accessible, trustworthy information.
   • The Caribbean & African Health Network is involved in outreach efforts, helping to understand and address patient needs.
5. Research & Clinical Trials
   • Yinka is engaged in research on improving sickle cell disease management through lifestyle changes and technology.
   • She encourages participation in digital health trials to validate the effectiveness of the platform in improving patient outcomes.
   • Previous successes with asthma apps indicate that digital health tools can help users take control of their conditions.
6. Reaching the Right Audience
   • Engaging young people where they are—whether through social media, community spaces, Cub Scouts or sports clubs—is key to ensuring health innovations are effective.
   • Traditional healthcare outreach (such as GP posters) may not reach those who need these solutions the most.
7. Call to Action
   • Yinka urges people affected by sickle cell disease to participate in upcoming trials to help refine and improve the platform.