RECENT PRESS
June 26, 2023
MORE Health Awarded Gold in Competition that Recognizes World’s Best Digital Health ResourcesSan Mateo, Calif. – June 26, 2023 — MORE Health was selected as a 25th annual Digital Health Awards® winner. This competition recognizes the world’s best digital health resources. MORE Health received a Gold Award for Social Media—LinkedIn. Marlow Hoffman, Marketing Brand Manager for MORE Health, produces and designs the company’s social media, including the LinkedIn platform.“We’re honored to be a winner in the 25th annual Digital Health Awards, selected from more than 800 entries and judged by a panel of distinguished experts in digital health,” said Ted Bukowski, MORE Health’s EVP and Chief Revenue Officer.MORE Health is a global digital health company headquartered in San Mateo, California. Pairing world-leading experts with cutting-edge technology, the digital health company offers its Expert Medical Opinion to employers as an employee benefit to improve health outcomes, boost productivity, and reduce medical spending. MORE Health works with employers and benefits brokers; the benefit is also available through their strategic partner, Virgin Pulse.The Digital Health Awards program is organized by the Health Information Resource Center (HIRC), a national information clearinghouse for professionals who work in consumer health fields. The Digital Health Awards and the Health Information Resource Center are independent and not affiliated with any organization or company that enters the competition. Other well-known HIRC programs include the annual National Health Information Awards, which recognizes the nation’s best consumer health information in non-digital formats.About MORE HealthMORE Health is a global digital health company that pairs world-leading experts with cutting-edge technology to serve companies worldwide. Providing virtual access to the best medical minds in the world, MORE Health is improving the lives of patients around the globe with Virtual Second Medical Opinions from world-leading experts, Medical Travel Assistance to navigate medical treatment for patients internationally, and other offerings of Digital Clinical Tools, Medical Education, and Clinical Research. Since 2013, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents and continues its mission to provide clients and their members with access to the best medical minds in the world when they need it most—when facing serious life-changing illness. 
June 5, 2023
Ontario, Canada and San Mateo, California, USA – June 21, 2023 — Gotodoctor.ca, a leading Canadian provider of virtual healthcare services, announced today it has partnered with MORE Health, a leader in digital health solutions, to deliver expert second medical opinions in Canada to members, employers, and insurance providers. MORE Health provides users and their family members quick access to the best medical minds in the world when faced with a serious illness, diagnosis, or surgery. The company’s expert medical second opinion is now available through Gotodoctor.ca’s unique service network across Canada.Delivering world-class service, MORE Health Case Managers walk the patient through each step of the process. First, they connect the patient’s case and medical records with the leading U.S. specialist for the diagnosis. Then, within five days, patients and their treating doctors receive a final report that provides patient advocacy to help make the right healthcare decisions for the best possible health outcome. “As a global digital health company, we specialize in providing quick access to top specialists to improve patients' health worldwide,” said Ted Bukowski, Executive Vice President, and Chief Revenue Officer at MORE Health. “We look to work with partners that share our mission to improve access and patient advocacy, which is why we are excited to collaborate with Gotodoctor’s network and extend our virtual expert medical opinion services to their clients and partners in Canada.” Gotodoctor.ca is a leading healthcare solution company that provides innovative and sustainable Digital Employee Services in Canada. Its unique hybrid Primary Care Platform integrates virtual and in-person care and enables members to access comprehensive and scalable physician and other health services across large geographic areas. Gotodoctor.ca already connects to an estimated a million Canadians through its online portal, virtual clinics in McKesson Canada’s pharmacies, in-person clinics, employers, and insurance partners. Together with its Service Engine data offerings, Gotodoctor.ca can consistently deliver the right service, faster access and at a lower cost for its employer, insurance and healthcare partners.“Gotodoctor.ca already supports hundreds of thousands of employees with its virtual/in-person physician care and wait-time navigation services. The exclusive partnership with MORE Health in Canada enables Gotodoctor.ca to further expand our Digital Employee Services offerings,” said Tommy Cheung, CEO and President at Gotodoctor.ca. “We are thrilled that our members will now have additional options to access world-renowned specialists in Canada and US for second medical opinions when they face critical illnesses and disabilities.”About Gotodoctor.caGotodoctor.ca is a leading healthcare solutions company that operates in health facilities, senior living centers, and pharmacies across Canada. Its virtual clinics in pharmacies enhance the patient experience by creating an integrated and scalable care model to improve accessibility and patient outcomes. Gotodoctor.ca is supported by the renowned primary care clinic, Enhanced Care Clinic, which has also been the exclusive Preferred Provider of Physician and Medical Clinic Services for McKesson Retail Banner Group (over 2000 IDA, Guardian, Remedy’sR, and other independent pharmacies) since 2017. Gotodoctor.ca is a preferred provider for McKesson Retail Banner Group, Rexall, Green Benefits, Simply Benefits, and Manitoba Blue Cross members. For more information, visit www.gotodoctor.ca or email info@gotodoctor.ca. About MORE Health®MORE Health is a global digital health company in California’s Silicon Valley. Since incorporating in 2013, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents. It continues its mission to provide clients and their members with access to the best medical minds in the world when they need it most—when facing a serious life-changing illness. Recognized as a leader in cross-border telemedicine, MORE Health delivers Expert Medical Opinions from world-leading specialists by pairing technology and world-class service. Offered as an employee benefit or on an individual self-pay basis, this service is available to groups of any size worldwide. For more information, visit morehealth.com or email sales@morehealth.com. 
February 21, 2023
San Mateo, Calif. and Phoenix, Ariz., - February 21, 2023 — Today, MORE Health®, a global digital health company specializing in expert second medical opinions, announces a partnership with Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, the nation’s trusted treatment leader, to increase access to the top trauma, mental health, addiction, and recovery experts.A pillar in the treatment industry, Meadows Behavioral Healthcare’s history of healing stretches back 45+ years. Today, they provide evidence-based treatment for those struggling with emotional trauma, drug and alcohol addiction, anxiety, depression, sex addiction, eating disorders, sexual trauma, intimacy issues, and a wide range of co-occurring mental health conditions. This happens through various levels of care, including inpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), virtual IOP, workshops, and case management.According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults experience mental illness each year, and over 20 million Americans have a substance use disorder. Globally, mental illness is one of the leading causes of poor health and disability.With this unique partnership, MORE Health clients, benefit members, and patients worldwide can access expert medical opinions and virtual outpatient treatment programs from nationally and internationally recognized trauma, mental health, addiction, and recovery experts at Meadows Behavioral Healthcare. In addition, employees of Meadows Behavioral Health will also have access to the Expert Medical Opinion employee benefit when faced with a serious illness or diagnosis.Through its prestigious network of tertiary and quaternary academic medical centers and esteemed physician specialists, MORE Health delivers a sophisticated version of the medical second opinion for its patients, called a collaborative diagnosis (or Co-Diagnosis®). The company provides this Co-Diagnosis® service through its online platform, that’s full-featured, intuitive, and GDPR- and HIPAA-compliant. Specialists in MORE Health’s provider network team up with the patient’s treating physicians in their home state or country to deliver a diagnosis and medical treatment plan efficiently and effectively. An expert remote second opinion saves individuals time and provides them with the patient advocacy they need to make the best healthcare decisions.“Adding Meadows Behavioral Healthcare to the MORE Health network is critical to improving our patient’s access to expert Behavioral Health and Addiction Services,” said Ted Bukowski, MORE Health’s EVP and Chief Revenue Officer. “This partnership enhances our offering, allowing us to help patients diagnosed with a serious illness who also need behavioral health consults. It’s also a bonus for our employer clients because we can further help them improve productivity, absenteeism, and overall health and well-being in their workforce.”  “This partnership is a unique opportunity to collaborate with other medical specialties to increase access to behavioral healthcare services and bring healing and recovery to those that need it most,” said Dr. Jon Caldwell, DO, PhD, Meadows Behavioral Healthcare’s Chief Medical Officer. “We are excited to bring our expertise in trauma, mental health, and substance use disorders to the amazing work MORE Health is already doing.” MBH’s treatment approach is rooted in more than 45 years of clinical experience. The Meadows Model, which is grounded in Pia Mellody’s pioneering work while being dynamic and responsive to new scientific developments, is the foundation of their treatment approach. Through their world-class senior fellow discipline, program design, and clinical training, Meadows Behavioral Healthcare’s treatment centers are considered best in class. Their clinical expertise, paired with a compassionate, caring treatment approach, has established a strong foundation of trust among patients, referring healthcare partners, and the local communities served. About Meadows Behavioral HealthcareMeadows Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) is a network of specialized behavioral healthcare programs, individualized addiction recovery centers, and acute psychiatric care centers located throughout the United States. An industry leader, MBH provides evidence-based treatment for people struggling with emotional trauma, drug and alcohol addiction, anxiety, depression, sex addiction, eating disorders, women’s intimacy disorders, psychiatric disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Their full continuum of programs and services deliver personalized treatment plans to people from all walks of life, meeting them at their point of need to help achieve long-term recovery. For more information on all of Meadows Behavioral Healthcare’s treatment services, from inpatient to outpatient and virtual levels of care, visit meadowsbh.com.About MORE Health®MORE Health is a global digital health company known for giving individuals access to the best medical minds when facing a serious illness. Recognized as a leader in cross-border telemedicine, MORE Health brings renowned specialists together through its award-winning technology, connecting them with patients worldwide. To date, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents and continues its mission to provide clients and their members access to the best medical minds in the world—when they need it most. The company, incorporated in 2013, is headquartered in Silicon Valley. For more information, visit morehealth.com.
February 13, 2023
San Mateo, Calif. – February 13, 2023 — MORE Health, a global digital health company, announces today that it will participate virtually in BTIG at Snowbird: Medtech, Digital Health, Life Science & Diagnostic Tools Conference, from February 14-16, 2023, in Snowbird, Utah.The conference brings together industry leaders to explore emerging innovations and trends across the healthcare industry. Attendees will include over 75 corporate management teams from life science and digital health organizations. MORE Health is attending to discuss its innovative solutions in critical illness with potential strategic partners, equity analysts, and investors.“MORE Health is improving health outcomes globally through patient advocacy services designed to help people with critical illnesses. Using our digital solutions, we provide access to the best medical minds in the world and high-touch services to ensure patients have the right diagnosis and treatment path,” said William Wen, Corporate Development and Investor Relations at MORE Health. “In doing this, we create unique patient acquisition opportunities for leading hospital systems worldwide. We also help life science organizations conduct clinical trials through our patient recruitment activities and provide focused data to assist researchers with drug development.”About MORE Health®MOREHealth is a global digital health company known for giving individuals access to the best medical minds when facing a serious illness. Recognized as a leader in cross-border telemedicine, MORE Health brings renowned specialists together through its award-winning technology, connecting them with patients worldwide. To date, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents and continues its mission to provide clients and their members access to the best medical minds in the world—when they need it most. The company, incorporated in 2013, is headquartered in Silicon Valley. For more information, visit morehealth.com.Follow MORE Health on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For media or investor inquiries, please contact us.
January 5, 2023
San Mateo, Calif. - January 5, 2023— MORE Health, a global digital health company, announced today that it will participate in the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 9-12, 2023, in San Francisco.The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference brings together the leaders and innovators of the healthcare industry. This annual event is a gathering place for the healthcare industry’s leaders and executives to exchange information, showcase new technologies and connect with potential customers and investors. MORE Health is attending to discuss its innovative solutions in critical illness with potential strategic partners, equity analysts, and investors.“MORE Health is improving health outcomes globally through patient advocacy services designed to help people with critical illness. We provide access to the best medical minds in the world, along with high-touch service, innovation, and digital solutions to ensure patients have the right diagnosis and treatment path,” said Hope Lewis, Co-Founder and CEO at MORE Health. “By doing this, we create unique patient acquisition opportunities for hospital systems and life science organizations, who share our goal of improving the lives of patients around the world.”About MORE HealthMORE Health is a global digital health company known for giving individuals access to the best medical minds in the world when facing a serious illness or diagnosis. Recognized as a leader in cross-border telemedicine, MORE Health brings together user-friendly technology and renowned specialists to create a global healthcare marketplace for critical illness. Since 2013, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents and continues its mission to provide clients and members access to the best medical minds in the world—when they need it most.For more information about MORE Health, visit morehealth.com. For media or investor inquiries, please contact us.
August 3, 2022
San Mateo, Calif. – August 3, 2022 — Today, MORE Health, a leader in cross-border telemedicine, announced its global expansion of Prodigy Fertility by MORE Health. It will extend advanced fertility offerings to provide more options for employers seeking inclusive benefits to address employee health and wellness. MORE Health is a global digital health company widely recognized for offering individuals access to the best medical minds in the world. Through cutting-edge technology, MORE Health delivers Virtual Expert Medical Opinions to provide employers with an inclusive benefit that can improve health outcomes, boost productivity, and reduce healthcare costs.“For years, we have had success helping individuals and couples overcome infertility and other critical illness. It made sense to expand our offerings globally to meet the needs of our clients,” said Hope Lewis, MORE Health’s Co-Founder and CEO. “Expanding our fertility benefits will support a diverse workforce, help our clients attract and retain talent, and reduce stress during a difficult time. Short term, this will help companies in the ‘Great Resignation.’ Long term, this will allow us to reach more people and continue our goal of improving patients’ lives.”Prodigy Fertility by MORE Health will enable employers to offer advanced fertility benefits, including video consultations, egg and sperm freezing or donation, IVF, gestational carrier program (or surrogacy), and birth tourism. Unlike other solutions, Prodigy Fertility by MORE Health combines fertility services with leading medical experts from the MORE Health provider network to deliver the best possible health outcomes for all unexpected medical complications that may arise during one’s fertility journey.Benefit members, as well as non-members who use the service on a self-pay basis, will have access to Virtual Expert Medical Opinions from leading physicians specializing in reproductive health, infertility, and high-risk pregnancy. The service extends to post-delivery healthcare for parents, surrogates, as well as kids born preterm or with other sudden critical illness. About MORE HealthMORE Health began operations in 2011 and is headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley. Since incorporating in 2013, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents. It continues its mission to provide clients and their members access to the best medical minds in the world when they need it most—when facing a serious life-changing illness. 
July 5, 2022
San Mateo, Calif. – July 6, 2022 — SNIC Insurance announced the signing of a business collaboration agreement with MORE Health, a global digital healthcare company headquartered in Silicon Valley California USA. MORE Health provides patients access to the best medical minds in the world for an Expert Medical Second Opinion Benefit when they are facing a critical and potentially life-changing illness. The benefit is delivered virtually using the latest technology giving patients access without leaving home or missing work. SNIC Insurance’s partnership with MORE Health aims to provide SNIC Employee Benefits customers with the highest level of expertise when in critical need of a second opinion by granting them access to world-renowned physicians associated with leading academic medical centers.  Patients who claim the remote second opinion service will benefit from Co-Diagnosis® as the patient’s treating doctors are partnered through technology with MORE Health Physician Specialists to jointly develop a comprehensive collaborative diagnosis and the best treatment plan.  At the patient’s request, and once the case is validated by the SNIC Life and Medical Claims team, the patient will have 24/7 access to the MORE Health Platform. The team of experts will objectively review the existing diagnosis and treatment plan and offer a potentially new perspective. The MORE Health Case Manager will act as the patient’s advocate and is an effective bridge between the various medical teams and the patient—with the assistance of the SNIC Life and Medical Claims team. A dedicated case manager will guide the patient through the steps each service requires, collect all the patient’s medical history, test results, medical imaging, and keep the patient in the loop on progress while maintaining confidentiality and integrity.Leading MORE Health’s global expansion is Ted Bukowski, who serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “We are excited about this new initiative with SNIC Insurance which helps us continue our mission to improve the lives of patients around the world,” said Mr. Bukowski. “We have worked diligently to build an exceptional provider network of physicians from top academic medical institutions in the world, and we couldn’t be more pleased to offer SNIC members access to the best medical minds in the world when they need it most.”On this occasion, Mr. Feda Salameh, Assistant General Manager of Marketing and Consumer Affairs of SNIC Insurance said: " We are very pleased with this collaboration which could be a life-changing service to our clients by utilizing the technology of Remote Second Medical Opinion by the best medical international consortiums extending the needed guidance for the best possible medical decision and treatment plan when its most needed without leaving home or having to miss work. Mr. Salameh concluded” This unique service comes as part of SNIC’s ongoing quest to offer the latest advanced solutions to its clients for the benefit of enhancing customer satisfaction and improving customer experience. The Remote Second Opinion is extended to our Employee Benefits Members as a free benefit for an added value to our clients knowing they can take advantage of MORE Health’s dedicated services when a highly critical health case arises.  This service offers several unique benefits starting with the best team of expert physicians and the state-of-the-art diagnostics platform, with a dedicated case manager for each patient, and a specialized second opinion for kids. We believe this market-leading remote 24/7 second opinion service will provide our customers with an extra layer of security and peace of mind knowing that such valuable service is available whenever they need it. For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Raitz-Hébert, VP of Global Marketing at amanda.raitz@morehealth.com.
June 14, 2022
MORE Health Awarded Gold in Competition that Recognizes World's Best Digital Health ResourcesSan Mateo, Calif. – June 15, 2022 — MORE Health was selected as a winner in the 24th annual Digital Health Awards® program. This competition—held each spring and fall—recognizes the world’s best digital health resources.The digital health company received a Gold Award for Social Media—LinkedIn. Marlow Hoffman, Marketing Brand Manager for MORE Health, is responsible for the production and design of the company’s social media which includes the LinkedIn platform.“We were delighted to participate in the 24th annual Digital Health Awards competition, and we're honored to be selected as a winner,” said Amanda Raitz-Hébert, Head of Marketing at MORE Health. “Our winning entry was chosen from nearly 700 entries judged by a panel of distinguished experts in digital health media.”MORE Health is a global digital health company headquartered in San Mateo, California. Pairing world-leading experts with cutting-edge technology, MORE Health’s Expert Medical Opinion is offered to employers as an employee benefit to improve health outcomes, boost productivity, and reduce medical spending. The company works with employers and benefits brokers, and the benefit is also available through their strategic partner, Virgin Pulse.The Health Information Resource CenterSM (HIRC), organizer of the Digital Health Awards, is a national information clearinghouse for professionals who work in consumer health fields. Other well-known HIRC programs include the annual National Health Information AwardsSM (healthawards.com), which annually recognizes the nation’s best consumer health information (in non-digital formats).About MORE HealthMORE Health is a global digital health company that pairs world-leading experts with cutting-edge technology to serve companies worldwide. Providing virtual access to the best medical minds in the world, MORE Health is improving the lives of patients around the globe with Virtual Second Medical Opinions from world-leading experts, Medical Travel Assistance to navigate medical treatment for patients internationally, and other offerings of Digital Clinical Tools, Medical Education, and Clinical Research. Since 2013, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents and continues its mission to provide clients and their members access to the best medical minds in the world when they need it most—when facing serious life-changing illness. For general questions or media inquires, please contact Amanda Raitz Hébert, VP of Global Marketing at amanda.raitz@morehealth.com. 
January 29, 2022
Virgin Pulse clients can expand their Homebase for Health® with MORE Health’s second opinion, virtual diagnosis and treatment plan recommendation benefitsSan Mateo, Calif., January, 28, 2022 – MORE Health today announced it has partnered with Virgin Pulse, the leading global provider of tech-enabled solutions, making its expert second medical opinion benefit available for contract through Virgin Pulse to employers, health plans and hospital systems worldwide. MORE Health provides users and their family members access to the best medical minds in the world when faced with decisions regarding a serious, life-changing illness. The company’s preconfigured benefits are available to eligible employees, health plan members and health system patients through Virgin Pulse’s Homebase for Health® solution. Homebase for Health connects data, people and technology to deliver high-tech, human-touch experiences that engage and reward individual journeys. MORE Health provides patients peace of mind and confidence when facing a life-changing illness. Through its proprietary digital platform, MORE Health Case Managers connect the patient’s case and medical records to world-renowned MORE Health Physician Specialists. MORE Health’s Co-Diagnosis® service uses a collaborative approach to put the patient at the center of care. The patient’s attending physician and MORE Health Physician Specialist team up to deliver a diagnosis and treatment plan efficiently and effectively within just five days.“As a global digital health company, we look to partner with other innovative companies that employ technology to improve member care,” said Ted Bukowski, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at MORE Health. “We are excited to join Virgin Pulse’s partner network as a second opinion provider to deliver access to the best medical minds while helping organizations save money on healthcare costs.” Virgin Pulse’s industry-leading engagement levels increases partner program visibility and utilization through streamlined company adoption, seamless integration and member incentives. Virgin Pulse motivates members to develop healthy habits, manage health conditions and navigate their healthcare benefits by rewarding them for completing MORE Health’s second opinion process, follow-up assessment and quarterly quizzes.As a certified Virgin Pulse partner, MORE Health helps companies worldwide eliminate administrative burdens including privacy and security reviews, product configuration, procurement, contracting, invoicing and reporting. Virgin Pulse’s comprehensive digital tools, live services and partners like MORE Health help more than 100 million people worldwide change their lives for good while reducing company’s healthcare costs. Studies show 88 percent of second medical opinions result in major changes to diagnoses or recommended treatment plans. Leveraging MORE Health’s virtual second opinions from world-leading experts ensures the correct diagnosis and minimizes unnecessary treatment of misdiagnosed conditions.About MORE HealthMORE Health, a global digital health company, provides peace of mind and confidence to patients when they need it most—when facing a serious life-changing illness. Delivering second medical opinions virtually, MORE Health delivers a diagnosis and recommended treatment plan from the world’s best medical minds. This collaborative approach to diagnosis puts the patient at the center of the process—empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Offering all the benefits of a second opinion, the service ensures that the attending doctor and the expert physician specialist are aligned through their proprietary, GDPR- and HIPPA-compliant Physician Collaboration Platform™, thus minimizing errors while also resolving potential conflicts regarding the diagnosis and treatment plan developed. Since 2013, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents and continues its mission to provide clients and their members access to the best medical minds in the world—when they need it most.# # #
October 19, 2021
San Mateo, Calif., – October 19, 2021 – Today, the global digital healthcare company MORE Health announced that it has received ISO 27001:2013 certification for its Information Security Management System (ISMS).  ISO 27001:2013 is an information security management system standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). MORE Health’s certification was issued by A-LIGN, an independent and accredited certification body based in the United States, on successful completion of a formal audit process. This certification is evidence that MORE Health has met rigorous international standards in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and security of data and information in all areas of its company.“We built security and privacy into our company’s architecture,” said William Lewis, Chief Security Officer and General Counsel at MORE Health. “We incorporated safeguards into all technology from the ground up and adhere to the highest security standards.” He went on to say, “We take threats to availability, integrity, and confidentiality of our clients’ information seriously, and we want to ensure and implement the highest levels of security.”MORE Health is a leader in cross-border telemedicine and was awarded one of the Top 150 Digital Health Companies by CB Insights. More recently, the company was ranked No. 33 on the Future Healthcare Top 100 Series List. The MORE Health Physician Collaboration Platform™ is a GDPR- and HIPAA-compliant digital health solution utilized by specialists around the world to deliver remote second opinions to patients globally. About MORE HealthMORE Health, a global digital health company, provides peace of mind and confidence when you need it most—when facing a serious life-changing illness. MORE Health delivers a diagnosis and recommended treatment plan from the world's best medical minds through a virtual second opinion. This collaborative approach to diagnosis puts the patient at the center of the process—empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. The service ensures that the attending doctor and the expert physician specialist are aligned through their proprietary, GDPR- and HIPAA-compliant Physician Collaboration Platform™; this minimizes errors while also resolving potential conflicts regarding the diagnosis and treatment plan developed. Since 2013, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents and continues its mission to provide clients and their members access to the best medical minds in the world—when they need it most. For more information, please Contact Us. For inquiries, please contact Amanda Raitz Hébert, VP of Marketing at MORE Health, at amanda.raitz@morehealth.com. 
RECENT BLOG
November 1, 2023
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity. Known as the “silent killer,” lung cancer kills almost three times as many men as prostate cancer and nearly three times as many women as breast cancer.When diagnosed with lung cancer, others often respond, “Oh, do they smoke?” The answer is no in 20% of lung cancer cases. The queen of disco, Donna Summer, died from lung cancer at 63, and Christopher Reeve’s wife, Dana Reeve, succumbed to the disease at 44. Both were non-smokers. So, why are so many lung cancer cases unrelated to nicotine? Find out and help raise awareness this November during Lung Cancer Awareness Month.HERE ARE 5 REASONS WHY LUNG CANCER CAN AFFECT NON-SMOKERS:1. Radon Gas ExposureRadon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into buildings. Both new and old homes can have radon problems. Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of radon gas can increase the risk of developing lung cancer, even in non-smokers.Radon levels are often highest in the lowest part of a home or building, like the basement, cellar, and living spaces in contact with the ground. There are no outward signs of radon, so every home should get tested. Assessing your exposure is fast, easy, and inexpensive, as many radon test kits are available online or in home improvement stores. The U.S. states with the highest radon levels include Alaska, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Washington. Globally, Norway, South Korea, the Czech Republic, and Russia are among the countries with the highest radon levels.2. Occupational ExposureMost occupational lung diseases are caused by long-term exposure, but in some instances, a single exposure to a hazardous agent can damage the lungs. Mining, construction, and manufacturing jobs can lead to exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust, and other chemicals. Long-term exposure to these substances can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.3. Air PollutionBetween six to eight million premature deaths from lung cancer are attributed to outdoor air pollution, mostly occurring in rapidly growing cities where industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and fine particulate matter are present.Indoor air pollution from solid fuels like coal, wood, or biomass accounts for about 3.8 million deaths. Inhaling these types of chemicals introduces harmful chemicals to a person’s body through the lungs and can lead to lung cancer. 4. Genetic Factors or Family HistorySpecific inherited mutations increase the risk of developing small-cell lung cancer—an aggressive form of the disease. Knowing your family history and talking to your doctor about your risk level is essential.5. Secondhand SmokeEven without smoking a cigarette, you can develop lung cancer simply from being around its smoke. Unfortunately, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke, and even brief exposure can cause immediate harm. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, and lung cancer. In addition, inhaling toxic chemicals can damage lung cells and increase the likelihood of cancer.The chances of non-smokers developing lung cancer are generally lower than smokers, but these factors can and do affect people’s lives worldwide. Regular screenings and physicals can help with the early detection of lung cancer and increase your chances of a positive health outcome.As a company on a mission to improve patients’ lives globally, we hope bringing attention to lung cancer can help reduce the number of people impacted by this silent killer.About MORE Health®MORE Health is a global digital health company known for giving individuals access to the best medical minds in the world when facing a serious illness or diagnosis. Recognized as a leader in cross-border telemedicine, MORE Health delivers virtual Expert Medical Opinions from world-leading specialists by pairing technology and world-class service. This service is available to groups of any size in the U.S. and abroad as an employee benefit or on an individual self-pay basis. Since 2013, MORE Health has helped patients on six continents and continues its mission to provide patient advocacy to clients and members worldwide—when they need it most.