{"id":2736,"date":"2016-03-04T18:30:52","date_gmt":"2016-03-04T18:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/?p=2736"},"modified":"2016-03-06T16:35:56","modified_gmt":"2016-03-06T16:35:56","slug":"go-mobile-for-better-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/winter-2016\/go-mobile-for-better-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Go Mobile For Better Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Dr. John Patrick, DHA<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Today, many people are taking more responsibility for their health and have a vast array of new tools at their fingertips to help. Older adults are not taking a backseat either when it comes to the technology behind these tools. Seven out of 10 seniors between 65 and 75 use the Internet and 25 percent are using smartphones.<\/p>\n

Smartphones have become incredibly powerful. The combination of our smartphones and FDA approved medical devices has given rise to a new category called mHealth. New mHealth apps may accelerate the pace of adoption.<\/p>\n

The new app, Isabel<\/a>, can instantly and accurately compare data input, such as age, gender, location and numerous medical symptoms. With a database of more than 6,000 diseases and conditions, Isabel can help produce a diagnosis. A study of thousands of users showed accuracy to be 96 percent.<\/p>\n

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Kinsa Smart ear with Readout screen in hand, CellScope, AliveCor<\/p><\/p>\n

Pushing the boundaries of doctor\/patient relationships<\/h3>\n

While some healthcare providers balk at consumer self diagnosis, the new technologies are pushing the boundaries of doctor-patient relationships in ways that can be beneficial to both parties. Increasingly, seniors and physicians will be able to collaborate on diagnoses and treatments rather than just doing what the doctor ordered.<\/p>\n

Part of the shift in consumer attitudes toward taking care of oneself involves collecting data related to individual\u2019s activities and conditions.<\/p>\n

More than half of Americans track their weight, diet or exercise as a way of improving health. Innovators are developing new mHealth apps and devices at a frenetic pace and consumers have a healthy attitude about adopting them.<\/p>\n

According to industry estimates cited by the FDA, 500 million smartphone users worldwide will be using a healthcare application in 2015. By 2018, 50 percent of the more than 3.4 billion smartphone and tablet users\u2014including healthcare professionals, consumers and patients\u2014will have downloaded mobile-health applications. As consumers adopt these mHealth apps and devices, they will be performing tests at a much lower cost than what traditional laboratories charge.<\/p>\n

The FDA sees the widespread adoption and use of mobile technologies as a way to improve health and improve the delivery of healthcare services. To date, the agency has approved more than 150 apps and devices.<\/p>\n

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The next evolution of wearable technology from Ralph Lauren<\/a>, the PoloTech Shirt works with an iPhone\u00ae or Apple Watch\u00ae to put real-time workout data in the palm of your hand.<\/p><\/p>\n

A sample of recent mHealth developments<\/h4>\n