Smartwatches Expected to Transform Disease Prevention

Smartwatches have evolved significantly, transitioning from simple time-telling devices to advanced gadgets capable of tracking fitness, monitoring health, and facilitating communication. They now offer features like blood oxygen tracking, sleep analysis, and automatic workout recognition, appealing to various users, from athletes to busy professionals. Recent advancements in battery life and connectivity allow users to leave their phones behind while staying updated, and smartwatches are increasingly seen as fashionable accessories. Additionally, wearable technology has the potential to play a crucial role in public health, with research indicating that smartwatches can detect early physiological signs of infections, such as Covid-19, with high accuracy. This capability could substantially reduce disease transmission by encouraging early self-isolation. Despite some challenges in integrating wearable AI into healthcare, the potential benefits for patient care are significant, marking an important shift in how health data can be utilized.