Wearable technology and novel biosensors will make diagnostics a part of daily lives for patients, the Chief Medical Officer says today.
This could make prevention of ill-health a routine part of daily life, Professor Dame Sally Davies says in her annual report.
The report calls for the government to take steps to improve the health of the nation – and says it is time for a single “Health Index” to be developed for England, enabling policy makers to track progress in health improvements.
But she also looks to the future, stating that technology will help with “nudge changes,” persuading people to make behaviour changes to improve their health.
These will combine genetic information with the emerging technologies and behavioural science, she says.
She writes: “Vast progress in computing power and predictive analytics will be able to integrate unstructured data that sits outside of organised
and traditional medical databases. This will improve disease progression prediction, allowing optimal preventative and treatment options for each individual.”
Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, welcomed the report.
He said: “Data, artificial intelligence and digital technologies have huge potential to transform the detection and treatment of heart diseases in years to come, and the BHF will continue to fund research into these areas, which we believe will help us to close the gap on those inequalities.
“As this report recommends, it is important now for NHS Digital, Public Health England and partners to develop guidance on best practice for these emerging areas.”
Leave a Reply