Wearables Don’t Really Make People Healthier, But Don’t Write Them Off Quite Yet
Researchers say the technology is ripe to be improved upon so that it will eventually be good enough to change health outcomes.
KQED:
Here’s What Two Systematic Reviews Of Digital Health Found
The primary question the researchers wanted to answer: Do these wearable biosensors make patients healthier? Not very much, was the conclusion. The analysis found no significant difference in health outcomes like weight or blood pressure for patients who used the devices and patients who didn’t. (Venton, 1/29)
In other public health news —
Los Angeles Times:
Sleep Cycle Troubles May Be Early Sign Of Alzheimer’s Disease
A new study finds that, in older people who show no signs of cognitive impairment, those with a sleep-wake cycle that is subtly off-kilter are more likely to have amyloid protein deposits in their brains. Those amyloid "plaques" are a hallmark of Alzheimer's, and they can develop years before symptoms of memory loss or thinking problems are evident. (Healy, 1/29)
Los Angeles Times:
Mental Illness Or Brain Injury? Driven By Voices To Commit Crime, Titus Young Is In Prison But Still Believes He Could Play In The NFL
The former NFL wide receiver with “FEAR GOD” etched on his biceps and his mother’s name written over his heart opened the worn black composition book with a faded newspaper photograph of retired NBA player Metta World Peace taped to the cover. Titus Young was once classified among the most dangerous inmates at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles and spent most of his days in lockdown. In early 2017, he started to write. (Fenno, 1/29)