WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY'S IMPACT ON HEALTH IN THE U.S.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Hello All! My name is Kayla, I am a Health Services Administration major at Old Dominion University. I have created this blog from my comm 372t class this semester. My topic is about the impact of wearable technology and health in the United States. I think this is a helpful blog because so many people are buying different wearable health trackers and they may not know the pros and cons of each device, or even what device may be best for them. Make sure to stay tuned as I continue posting and reflecting on different articles. I hope this gives you some insight and helps you make the best choice for purchasing these devices! Thanks for checking out my page.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Many people do not realize when they are trying to find the wearable technology that is best for them that the reviews that they are reading often times are consumer reviews. If one is really looking for a device that is used to track something specific there are sites out there that show these devices in experiments to show you how they stack up versus another device which may be better used to track something else. I like what this article stated about the similarities in the wearable technology, “All have multifunction capabilities, such as a step counter, caloric tracker, distance counter, and sleep tracker. The functions are similar, but each device differs in calculation algorithm, user interface, and application.” This brings up a very good point and goes back to what I said about how one device may be better used to track something versus another device.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Wearable technology may improve sleep, endurance and chronic pain

Sixty-three-year-old David Baker made a living driving tractor trailers in the South for 40 years.

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT), is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of wearable technology. But for David Baker who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006 and relied on a waller is now able to stand even taller and stronger than before. He has been wearing a PEMFT bracelet since 2013, this is what he thinks is to blame for his strength. PEMF is described in the article as, “PEMF works by pulsing electromagnetic waves through the body to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. PEMFT has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for decades, but Active Edge said its products are the first to offer these health benefits via wearable technology.” David Baker is also one of the 30,000 people who use Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy bracelets to help control his Parkinson’s symptoms. David and his wife were also involved with paracord survival bracelet sales, which look similar to the bracelets shown above.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Wearable activity trackers may not boost weight loss

For young adults on a long-term healthy diet and exercise program, tracking activity with a wearable device may not lead to additional weight loss, according to a new study.

Many people are wanting to lose weight, especially in the United States. This study compares using an online based website to track their diet and physical activity while the other group was given a wearable device ($100) that is worn on the upper arm. This device tracked steps, hours slept, as well as calories burned. While the results did show that those who used the website versus the wearable device lost more weight, the difference was really not as significant. I like the point that this article brings up, “We know that monitoring activity behavior, and diet, is very important to weight management success, so making it easier to do that and in real-time should in theory improve success..... “If these wearable technologies help you to do that then that is perfect," Jakicic said. "However, you need to use the technology in a way that can really help you." 

[kaylajsheets-blog]

When Wearable Health Trackers Meet Your Doctor

How interested is your doctor in health data that you’ve tracked yourself? Wearable health and fitness devices are now hugely popular, and they certainly..

Although this article talks a lot about London and not the United States I think that it is a good point of view. The United States should take a step back and look at what other parts of the world are doing as far as wearable technology and our doctors. If people started using the devices to help track their health there has got to be some information that could be useful for doctors. Who doesn’t want to be healthier, right? Yes, there are kinks in some wearable technology still, it cannot be perfect. But if we can come up with a range and where the “norm” is for a certain set of criteria why wouldn’t we do so?

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Research reveals the dark side of wearable fitness trackers

Phones, activity trackers and pacemakers act as extensions and enhancements of our bodies and minds. But how do we feel about living with technology on (or in) our bodies 24/7?

I really like how both pros and cons are explained in this article. I know from first hand experience with my boyfriend wearing his FitBit he only takes it off when he needs to charge it or is in the shower. He has had such success with wearing it. He is a part of the “always on, always on me” group that this article discusses. But as far as the cons of feeling pressured to meet certain daily goals, I can say that I have not met anyone who has expressed feeling that way to me. (I’m sure those people do exist). When I was on a strict diet and exercise plan and was not using any wearable technology I always made a point to park at the back of the parking lot so I could walk further. Making changes like this are just small adjustments that can help us reach our goals. In my opinion though, I think a lot of people just want the changes with their health without making lifestyle changes and that is not how it works. I think that if people can find the balance and necessary changes that the technology can definitely be an investment and will also help be a motivator because you can actually track the data as well as feeling your body change. Small adjustments do more than what people think.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Can a week of wearables improve your health?

Thousands of wearable devices hit the market each year aiming to help you live a healthier life. CNN's Samuel Burke spent a week testing a few to discover what difference they can make.

Trying out three different technologies for a week has got to be tough! Making changes in our daily routine in all different aspects  of lifestyle so quickly may be the reason for the results that he got. When he said, “In the end, the best wearable I've found are my pants. When they stop fitting, it will give me an alert I need to boost my activity levels and weight loss regimen.” that was alarming to me. Yes, that should be a way that you can keep track but at the same time we should be aiming to maintain a certain weight and we should be trying to control what we eat as well as our physical activity, even if it is changing for week to week. The Muse headpiece was something that I have not heard of before. I think it’s great that it in a way forces you to relax and clear your mind, I know for me personally this is particularly difficult.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

What the future holds for fitness technology

From swarms of drones to sensors hidden in your socks, experts weigh in on how we might use fitness technology to track our workouts and health in the future.

Wearable technology now isn’t only just a wristband your wear. Advancements in wearable technology are now in your shoes, socks, clothes, even rings. All of these things may change the wearable technology game, but they may change the effectiveness that the “older” technology may not have had. This article uses the example of being able to tell how a runner’s foot is landing. This is a new level of advancement being able to prevent injury. Tracking heart rates and being able to tell if heart rate is irregular also can prevent health issues if taken to a medical professional. Yes, yet again there is a margin of error that this technology has but it seems as if companies are lowering the rate at the incorrect data with the different advancements and types of wearable technology. They talk about this a small portion in this article but it’s main focus are the changes and types of wearable technology.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Wearable Devices Nudge You to Health

Tracker devices like Fitbit and Up keep you aware of your inactivity and lack of sleep, and motivate you to put your life onto a healthier track.

This article mainly talks about he difference between the devices available. So the title is misleading. The FitBit, Nike Fuel Band, and the Jawbone UP band are the topic of discussion. Because this article is from 4 years ago the devices convenience has definitely increased, just one example from this article is, “The trouble with the Up band, however, is the way it communicates with your phone. You remove the bracelet. Pull off a metal cap about the size of a blood cell. Plug the newly exposed connector into — get this — your phone’s headphone jack. Open the app. After the data transfer, disconnect the band, find the cap, snap it back on and put the bracelet on again.” Now we don’t have to really worry about connecting and disconnecting to get our information. I can see why before did not want to use wearable technology because it wasn’t “easy” enough or user-friendly, but now using the technology it is so much easier so I think that is how they are reeling people in to begin with.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Assessing the Fitness of Wearable Tech

Older adults are among those who could benefit most from fitness trackers, but some experts caution that the devices may have a dark side.

It’s great seeing that older generations are getting involved and using wearable technology to track their daily steps, calories, etc. A really good point that this article made was talking about the help of friends and family, co-workers, and employers all taking part of supporting and encouraging one another to lead a healthy lifestyle. I actually was not aware that, “Under the Affordable Care Act, employers can use part of employees’ health insurance dollars to fund workplace wellness programs, enabling them to underwrite some or all of the cost of wearable devices. But for workers to benefit from them, “they need to have skin in the game and perhaps get some kind of reward at the end of the month if goals are reached.” I definitely think that his is a great way to get healthy around the workplace since we spend most of our time at work. Making these changes in the workplace could also make it easier for people to continue this healthy lifestyle at home as well. It also is a great way to get conversations started in the communities, with friends, family, even people that we encounter everyday whom we do not know on a personal level. 

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Wearable Fitness Devices Don’t Seem to Make You Fitter

Fitbits and Apple Watches and the like may have their uses, but they don’t appear to be effective in weight loss.

After reading this article, it surprised me that it was published in February 2017. Yet, it was still throwing the idea that FitBits and Apple Watches do not help aid in weight loss. I think that this is true in some cases but often times these wearable devices do help people lose weight. However, I do not agree with the statement, “At the end of the two years, which is pretty long for a weight loss study, those without access to the wearable technology lost an average of 13 pounds. Those with the wearable tech lost an average of 7.7 pounds.” It then goes on to say that people who wore the wearable technology lost significantly less weight, significantly?! Why is 4.3 pounds significant? I would say that the fact that people are losing weight is something we should be celebrating if that is their goal. What do you think?

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Wearable technology is definitely helpful in several aspects of our lives. One thing that I don’t think we should start doing is self-diagnosing. Many people are doing that now with the internet and several sights that show different symptoms for an illness. But with the help of the wearables we can be more aware with what is going on with our bodies. If something is irregular and is consistently irregular, hopefully we go to the doctor. But if it’s something that happened once and goes back to normal we usually doing worry. But when something like that does happen we are on the look out for other signs something may be wrong. 

[kaylajsheets-blog]

4 Benefits of Wearable Health Technology - Medicom Health

Besides being fashionable accessories, wearable health technology provides healthcare providers with a new way to track behaviors, track metrics, and ...

This article brings up several good points about wearable technology and their benefits. For example, “In patients with conditions such as congestive heart failure, life-threatening behaviors can include changes in sleep and activity levels. Data collected by wearables can be used to predict an increased risk of a potentially fatal health event and alert healthcare providers that an intervention might be needed.” this is a great point and people should be aware of their bodies and what is going on but I also think to a certain point that people may begin to obsess with what is going on which is something that is not good.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

What do you reckon will happen to the Internet of Things ten years ...

I really liked this article. It not only talks about health benefits for wearing health trackers but also other devices that people may not be aware of. “There are probably hundreds of Kickstarter campaigns aimed at improving the personal safety, one of which is the Wearsafe, a Kickstarter project that’s on a mission to save lives. connect with the press of a wearable button, keeping you safer wherever you are and more secure in whatever you’re doing. Wearsafe can be activated using either a supported smartwatch or the Wearsafe Tag - a discrete, wearable device which pairs seamlessly with your smartphone from up to 165 feet away. Once activated, Wearsafe continuously broadcasts critical information (including location, speed of travel and audio collected from your smartphone) so your network can instantly provide life-saving information to first responders.” I am aware of different apps you can use to help protect yourself and stay safe but this technology makes it so much easier to be safe.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

Experts: Why wearable tech could pose health risks

Wearables have arrived. But some doctors and scientists say the latest must-have technology may pose serious health risks to the people wearing them.

People do indeed think about the risk of radiation that may occur when using technology. Although, this article is discussing the risks of radiation it also in a way is educating consumers by explaining that through bluetooth, “which emits much lower levels of radiofrequency, or RF, than cellular-based smartphones and other devices that use Wi-Fi.” I can’t think of wearable technology that uses wi-fi. Personally, I keep my phone is my purse or bag. I rarely keep it on me because I have the iPhone 7 Plus and it’s just to large to keep in my pocket. Which is actually a blessing in disguise since I am not as exposed to RF.

[kaylajsheets-blog]

“Despite many consumers’ concerns over price, privacy and ease of use, the market for wearables is expected to grow to 411 million units by 2020. The future of wearable technology in the healthcare industry is very bright.”

This is exciting especially after reading all the statistics that are featured in this article. One of which caught my attention! “The health insurance company Humana began using wearables to reward fitness activities with reduced premiums, gift cards and health devices. A three-year study of employees who participated in this program showed a 44 percent decrease in the number of sick days taken.” 44% decrease!? That is phenomenal! After seeing that result it gets me thinking about what other changes to companies as well as the nation can wearable technology impact? Can the number rise even more? What do you think?