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
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 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
    email marketing in healthcare
    Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing in Healthcare
    October 26, 2023
    healthcare claims
    The Role of Communication in Resolving Complex Workers’ Compensation Claims in Healthcare Settings
    September 22, 2024
    Wounds and Wisdom: What Motorcycle Accidents Teach Us About Health and Healing
    Wounds and Wisdom: What Motorcycle Accidents Teach Us About Health and Healing
    February 12, 2025
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 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
Last updated: January 12, 2015 9:00 am
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

Celebrate National Handwashing Awareness Week December 2-8
Why Haven’t We Found A Cure For Cancer Yet?
Health Care Buzz Today
Incidence and Prevalence of Morbid Obesity
Medicare Essential Plan Worth Considering

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

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

wellness importance
Wellness

How to Make the Cold Weather More Bearable This Winter

November 28, 2022
medical billing
BusinessFinanceHospital Administration

How Patient Experience Will Affect Medical Billing

October 31, 2013
ID-100181544
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & Law

Reducing Documentation Costs for Physician Practices

April 7, 2014

Preventable Readmissions and a Recent OIG Advisory Opinion

August 27, 2013
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?