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Ohio-based healthcare company, AndHealth, is making significant strides in the fight against autoimmune conditions with an observational study called Project IMPACT. This study aims to demonstrate the potential to reverse both Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Psoriasis by combining conventional treatments with personalized interventions, designed to address root causes, which are often related to lifestyle and nutrition.
Project IMPACT: A dual focus on treatment for RA and psoriasis
Project IMPACT invites individuals undergoing treatment with specialty medications for either RA or psoriasis to participate in a revolutionary journey. This has the potential to not only reverse their condition but to also help countless others by contributing to this vital research. The study aims to build the world's most extensive real-world evidence base, showcasing the potential to reverse these conditions by enabling patients to discover and address their unique root cause drivers.
Dr. Jill Weintraub, a double board-certified rheumatologist, and Dr. Rita Fisler, a Harvard-trained dermatologist, are leading the charge with AndHealth in reshaping how RA and psoriasis are treated within the healthcare system.
"We recognize that these are complex conditions influenced by genetics, lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental factors. To provide the level of care that accounts for these factors is extremely challenging under the current reimbursement model," states Dr. Weintraub, who supervises rheumatologic care for AndHealth.
The study aims to demonstrate that comprehensive support, including root cause-targeted interventions and personalized nutrition, justifies the additional time and investment required.
Comprehensive and inclusive care
Participants in Project IMPACT benefit from direct access to their medical and specialty pharmacy team via an app on their phones, with consultations conducted online through video on Zoom. This eliminates the time, cost, and inconvenience of in-person visits. The study removes other financial obstacles by offering services not covered by the participant's health plan or Medicaid at no additional cost to the patient. These services include nutritional supplements, medically tailored meal deliveries, and an Oura Ring to monitor sleep, stress, activity, and other health metrics.
"This level of care has historically been limited to individuals who could afford to pay out-of-pocket," says Dr. Myles Spar, the head of clinical services for AndHealth. "Project IMPACT, however, is intentionally structured to include patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds, with over a third of our participants currently on Medicaid."
“We also have to be realistic about people’s ability to invest their time and effort into their healthcare,” says Spar. “Some have been craving the opportunity to dive into lifestyle factors and other root causes driving their disease. Others prefer to start slowly by just getting more time and better access to their medical team. We welcome both types of patients.”
Removing the burden of medication access
The team-based approach to care delivery being demonstrated through the study also aims to solve one of the most common problems that derail the care of patients with RA and psoriasis - losing access to their specialty medications due to health plan changes.
“This is alarmingly common experience for patients, and when they are finally able to resume their medication, it often no longer works in the way that it did before the interruption,” says Spar. “Our pharmacy team moves mountains to ensure patients don’t lose access to their medications – and don’t spend hours on the phone navigating this problem alone.”
An invitation to participants
AndHealth is actively enrolling adults aged 21 and older in Ohio who are currently being treated with a specialty medication or have been advised by their physician to start such a medication for either RA or psoriasis.
About AndHealth
Founded in 2021 in Columbus, OH, AndHealth aims to dramatically improve access and health outcomes for patients utilizing specialty care, including rheumatology and dermatology. The company's focus on expanding autoimmune care to include lifestyle, nutrition, and other root cause drivers has been recognized by various U.S. healthcare stakeholders, including health systems, community health centers, employers, and the investment arm of the American Medical Association. AndHealth has begun treating patients in Ohio and Indiana and has published its first peer-reviewed paper, "Implementing Personalized Dietary Interventions for Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases."
By combining advanced research with a patient-centric approach, AndHealth is paving the way for a future where chronic conditions like RA and psoriasis can be effectively managed.
For more information or to participate in Project IMPACT, please visit www.andhealth.com/impact or email impact@andhealth.com to arrange an exploratory call with a patient enrollment specialist.
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