Consumer wearable devices and disease prevention
22 Apr 2025 12:13 PM
Research has linked wearable devices with the prevention, detection and mitigation of disease. What are the public health benefits and what are the risks?
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.58248/PN741
- Wearable devices could help support the government’s 10 Year Health Plan by preventing, detecting, and mitigating diseases. Examples include smartwatches and continuous glucose monitors.
- Studies have shown that activity tracking can help increase physical activity levels, which in turn can reduce risks of multiple diseases. However, wearables tend to be purchased by people who are already health conscious, and many stop using them within a year.
- Some devices can detect symptoms that may indicate disease, which could enable early targeted intervention. Researchers have cautioned that false alarms could risk unnecessary burdens on healthcare systems.
- Stakeholders have identified policy issues including fair access, regulation and cybersecurity. Wearables may not help those who might benefit most if they are less accurate, unaffordable, or harder to use for certain groups.
- Wearables may receive less scrutiny for accuracy and effectiveness when they are regulated as consumer devices, rather than medical devices. Benefits and risks are less clear when medical devices are used for wellness by healthy people.
- Wearables generate and record sensitive information. Consumers may have concerns about data-sharing, and many organisations have highlighted the need for robust safety, privacy, and cybersecurity protections.
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