Wearable data for preventive healthcare SECTIONS Last Updated: Jun 09, 2021, 10:59 PM IST Share Synopsis From simple step counters to more sophisticated pieces of equipment that measure everything from blood oxygen saturation and heart rate to blood pressure and sleep patterns, wearable devices of many different types are proliferating. Here is one more reason to switch from the present system of health insurance to a system of accountable/managed care, in which healthcare providers are paid to take care of the health of a given set of individuals, rather than to treat them when they fall ill: wearable devices. From simple step counters to more sophisticated pieces of equipment that measure everything from blood oxygen saturation and heart rate to blood pressure and sleep patterns, wearable devices of many different types are proliferating. Now, clothing is being made that can generate millions of data points a day. Collecting and analysing this data using sophisticated artificial intelligence is a sound way to detect the onset of health problems and prevent them before they occur. But a healthcare system geared to treatment will not be able to make use of this data.