Digital Health Asia 2025 Interview Series – Professor Kannie Chan: exploring cutting-edge technologies to enable a paradigm shift in healthcare
Organised by Times Higher Education (THE) in partnership with City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the Institute for Digital Medicine (IDM), Digital Health Asia 2025 will take place from 8 to 10 September. This marks the first time THE’s Digital Health series will be held in Asia, bringing together leading scholars, industry experts and policymakers from around the world. The summit will serve as a platform to explore the application of frontier technologies and future trends in digital health, addressing the increasingly complex healthcare challenges.
At the summit, Professor Chan will present her research and vision in the field of cerebro-cardiovascular health.
Professor Kannie Chan Wai-yan, Director of Hong Kong Centre for Cerebro-cardiovascular Health Engineering (COCHE) (an InnoHK centre established by CityUHK) and Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, expressed her excitement about the summit and the role of technology in advancing digital health. She noted that artificial intelligence (AI) and digital solutions are driving a paradigm shift in healthcare models toward preventive and personalised care, which in the long run, will enable early intervention and reduce medical costs.
Professor Chan added that AI can identify subtle patterns and correlations that are difficult for humans to perceive. In medical imaging, for example, AI can enhance image quality by reducing noise and improving resolution. “AI’s ability to visualise early pathological changes can improve treatment outcomes, accelerate clinical applications and ultimately enhance patient care,” she stated.
At the summit, Professor Chan will present her research and vision in the field of cerebro-cardiovascular health, highlighting its critical role in preventing devastating diseases such as stroke and dementia. She will also introduce key initiatives of the COCHE, including:
- Utilising advanced imaging technologies and point-of-care solutions to deepen understanding of the critical relationship between cerebrovascular and cardiovascular health;
- Raising awareness of the latest technological and clinical advancements to reshape diagnostic and treatment approaches;
- Advocating for proactive, integrated strategies for prevention and health management; and
- Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and research to drive continuous breakthroughs in medical technology.
Digital Health Asia 2025 highlights the importance of collaboration among government, industry, academia and research institutions. Professor Chan asserts that successful cross-sector partnerships require several core elements: shared vision and goals, complementary strengths and resources, patient-centric outcomes and sustainable health-management models. She is confident that by aligning these elements, academia, government and industry can effectively integrate their expertise and resources to foster innovation in digital health and improve public health outcomes.
For more details about the summit, please visit the thematic website.