By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    grief
    Coping With Depression from Loss After a Preventable Accident
    November 14, 2024
    medical research
    The Key to Medical Progress in Clinical Trials
    March 13, 2025
    HIPPA compliance
    How Medical Office Staff Can Make Your Practice HIPAA Compliant
    October 29, 2021
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Image
    Emergency Room – Don’t Use It For Primary Care!
    March 19, 2013
    Encouraging Medicare News From Senate Republicans
    March 17, 2012
    chronic disease
    Lifestyles Cause Most Serious Disease and Deaths
    May 25, 2013
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: BioPharma Beat: Wearables for Health – A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Technology > Medical Devices > BioPharma Beat: Wearables for Health – A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep
BusinessDiagnosticsMedical DevicesMedical InnovationsMobile HealthPublic HealthTechnologyWellness

BioPharma Beat: Wearables for Health – A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep

David Davidovic
David Davidovic
Share
5 Min Read
biopharma beat CES 2015
SHARE

biopharma beat CES 2015I’m reporting from the third day of CES 2015 in Las Vegas. I have walked nine to eleven miles each day – with each of my two sensors reporting completely different numbers. I have visited, touched, tried on at least 35 of the many (my guess over 70) companies with some form of sensor-enabled wearable.

biopharma beat CES 2015I’m reporting from the third day of CES 2015 in Las Vegas. I have walked nine to eleven miles each day – with each of my two sensors reporting completely different numbers. I have visited, touched, tried on at least 35 of the many (my guess over 70) companies with some form of sensor-enabled wearable. My conclusion, remains the same as reported in my article almost two years ago here in Healthworks Collective  “The Dawn of The Worried Well.”

Essentially, the majority of these innovations do not address healthcare, or even wellness; instead they are very enticing tools – some would say toys or just fashion items – for those who are already highly motivated and perhaps obsessive about tracking and quantifying themselves (the ‘worried well”). Unfortunately, this is not the majority of the population and certainly is not the population with the greatest needs in areas such as diabetes, obesity or other factors or conditions.

I realize this sounds contrarian to all of the exuberance over digital health, so it’s important to emphasize the difference between these sensor-enabled wearables that are often touted, wrongly in my opinion, as great solutions for many of our health issues, and other digital innovations that are truly transforming diagnosis, treatment and possibly outcomes. 

More Read

Clinical Collaboration
The Value of Clinical Collaboration in a Patient-centered Healthcare Model
Why Hospitals Need A Performance Program Officer
NHS Nurses Wear “Do Not Disturb” Uniforms
Drug Database Brings Healthcare Big Data to Ordinary People
How to Identify and Treat Psoriasis

Knowing how many steps you took today or what your heart rate is at any moment is not healthcare!

A couple of years ago, the “wearables” around were essentially fancy pedometers either attached to your wrist or to your belt. At this year’s CES I saw products with sensors built into just about every item one could wear (see below). Almost all still focused on counting steps or general mobility, with newer sensors now reporting things like temperature, heart rate, brain and sleep activity; some going as far as reporting blood oxygen levels.

All these sensors, without context, have no relation to health priorities and outcomes. 

One major problem with all these sensors is that they provide information without context. Just knowing a number at any point in time means very little. Some of the larger companies have gone a step further to develop algorithms, companion apps and more, but they still lack true context.

Sensors are being incorporated into every imaginable piece of clothing and jewelry. The question is the same, what is their true utility? 

Here is a list, partial I am sure, of the items and form-factors that I saw at this week’s CES with some form of sensor:

Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and all kinds of jewelry, shirts, shoes, shoe insoles, socks, aprons, hats, headbands, skates, dresses, eyewear, toothbrushes, gloves, ski bindings, belts, jackets,  helmets, swim goggles, water bottles, cuffs, baby bottles, backpacks, suitcases, briefcases, socks, watch straps, mood rings, necklaces, pillows, mattresses, mattress pads, ankle bracelets, bicycle pedals and, wait, even dog collars!!  

Can some forcasters actually be right saying that in the future everything we wear will have a sensor? I sure hope not.

What is most frustrating is to think of the money, time, motivation, brains and great enthusiasm that are going into developing and marketing these innovations that have little differentiation and limited value. Imagine if these resources could be diverted towards digital health innovations that have greater relevance and purpose?

Maybe this will happen. In the coming years, there will be huge consolidation in this area with many of these companies and products simply disappearing, with better understanding of trends vs. needs, and with events such as Apple’s HealthKit creating a new standardized ecosystem – though this in itself it could fuel a lot of junk (thing apps!),

Who will be the last sensor standing? 

TAGGED:CESdigital healthhealthsensorswearable body sensorsWearableswellness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

nanotechnology in medicine
Medical InnovationsNewsTechnology

Scope of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery: Current State of Application and Future Potential

January 26, 2015

Create Engaging Content For Your Hospital

June 14, 2013
neurological care
Wellness

Empowering Your Mind: Unlocking Neurologic Wellness as an Adult

August 13, 2023
Standing Desk
Wellness

The Health Benefits of a Standing Desk

January 10, 2022
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?