Wearable Tech: A Game Changer for Health Monitoring?

RFK Jr. has a big idea: he wants everyone in the U. S. to use wearable tech to track their health. This isn't just about fitness trackers; he's talking about smartwatches like the Apple Watch. Next week, his department is launching a huge campaign to get Americans on board with using these devices to manage their health. But can a smartwatch really make a big difference? RFK Jr. shared a story about friends who used glucose monitors to control their diabetes. These monitors show how food choices affect blood sugar levels. For people with type 2 diabetes, this info can be a wake-up call to change their diet and exercise more. Some studies suggest that type 2 diabetes can even be reversed with these lifestyle changes.However, not everyone is convinced. Some people doubt that diabetes can be reversed, and others prefer getting health advice from doctors rather than a watch. Plus, there are limits to what wearable tech can do. For example, while some watches can check blood pressure, the Apple Watch will only alert users if their blood pressure is too high—not give them a reading on demand. RFK Jr. also points out that wearable tech is cheaper than other health solutions. A smartwatch can cost as little as $80 a month, compared to expensive weight loss drugs like Ozempic, which can run over $1, 000 a month and come with side effects. Apple and Samsung are working on even more advanced features, like non-invasive blood sugar monitoring. But so far, no smartwatch has been approved for this. If they succeed, it could be a big deal for people with diabetes.