HLTH 2024: A guide to the health technology event

At first blush, the HLTH conference may seem like a typical healthcare event.

The HLTH conference begins in Las Vegas Sunday. Thousands of healthcare leaders are attending the event.

But those arriving in Las Vegas this week, especially those attending for the first time, will find that it’s a little bit different.

The four-day conference begins Sunday at the Venetian Expo Center, and the event reflects its host city, as it is a little more flashy and a little louder than some other events. It’s also proven to be a very popular event within the healthcare industry. Thousands of healthcare executives, managers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders will be in attendance.

Nick Patel, MD, physician executive partner with Pivot Point Consulting, is among the many who have been looking forward to the HLTH conference.

“Attending HLTH is always exciting, and it remains one of the top conferences where I gain valuable insights, make connections, and network with key players shaping the future of healthcare,” Patel said.

(Check out a video preview of HLTH. The story continues below.)

By the numbers

HLTH’s organizers are anticipating 12,000 will be in attendance over the course of the event, including more than 2,700 CEOs.

In 2023, a little more than third of the attendees (36%) came from the C-suite, with 25% in vice president roles and 20% holding positions as directors, according to organizers.

More than 400 speakers are scheduled, and the conference has more than 900 sponsors.

What’s new

HLTH has unveiled several new programs and platforms for this year’s conference.

This year, the event features “Nurses @ HLTH”, which is designed to give a greater spotlight to nurses and nursing leaders.

The conference also offers new physician roundtables and pavilions on “food as medicine” and oral health. On Wednesday, the final day of the conference, HLTH is presenting five new “summits” offering deeper dives on health technology, aging, and policy.

A lot of AI

Given that it’s a healthcare technology conference, expect plenty of lively discussions about artificial intelligence in the healthcare industry. Health tech leaders say they expect AI to be the dominant theme of the event, with conversations over how AI can reduce administrative tasks and its potential clinical uses.

Oren Nissim, CEO and co-founder of Brook Health, said ahead of the conference that he anticipates conversations about AI’s ability to improve diagnosis, patient wait times and the ability to monitor patients at home, as well as easing some burdens on clinicians.

“The most important next challenge is how this will be done responsibly and how to keep the checks and balances on the AI systems as they get implemented,” Nissim said. “I look forward to having these discussions at the upcoming HLTH conference.”

Other hot topics

Yes, there’s going to be a lot of talk about AI, but the conference is also featuring a host of other topics on pressing issues in healthcare.

Attendees should find a number of interesting panels on improving the patient experience and making it easier to access healthcare.

The growing popularity of diabetes and obesity medications, or GLP-1 drugs, will be featured in conversations at HLTH.

Sessions will also cover subjects including cancer, telehealth, wearables, health equity, and aging.

With the presidential election just a little more than two weeks away, there will be conversations about the contest for the White House.

Big names in health

Some of the healthcare industry’s most recognizable names will be appearing at HLTH.

Greg Adams, CEO of Kaiser Permanente, will be speaking Sunday afternoon on the main stage. He’ll be talking about value-based care and the creation of Risant Health, a subsidiary which has acquired the Geisinger health system in Pennsylvania and moved to acquire Cone Health in North Carolina.

Tom Mihaljevic, MD, president and CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, will headline a session on the main stage Monday morning, as he talks about AI and its ability to improve patient care and the patient experience.

Robert Califf, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, is also featured in a conversation Monday morning.

Joaquin Duato, chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, talks Tuesday morning about the need for bold ambition in approaching cures for diseases and the healthcare worker shortage.

Big names

In addition to health industry leaders, HLTH has lined up some household names for the conference, including some stars who have been announced within the past few weeks.

Halle Berry, the Oscar-winning winning actress, is speaking Monday afternoon. Berry has become an outspoken activist on women’s health, especially on the issue of menopause.

John Legend, the EGOT-winning musician, is slated for a discussion on health equity on Monday.

Rock legend Lenny Kravitz will be speaking Tuesday afternoon in a discussion about reaching underserved communities, including the link between oral health and overall care.

First Lady Jill Biden will be talking Wednesday morning about the White House initiative to advance women’s healthcare.

Chelsea Clinton will be participating in a panel discussion on reproductive rights on Monday afternoon.

For more information

Check out the HLTH website for a full schedule. You can also download the HLTH app.