TLDR
At Arizona State University’s (ASU) inaugural Digital Health Summit, experts emphasised that while digital health technologies – like wearables, telehealth, and AI- are advancing rapidly, it’s crucial to keep human needs at the forefront to ensure these innovations benefit everyone.
Tech with a Human Touch
Michael Yudell, interim dean at ASU’s College of Health Solutions, highlighted the necessity of integrating social and behavioral sciences with technological advancements. He stressed that understanding how these technologies impact diverse communities is essential to avoid inadvertently disadvantaging vulnerable populations.
“If we rely only on the technology, we’re going to go nowhere,” said Michael Yudell, interim dean and professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University.
“We need the social-behavioural scientists to understand the impact of these technologies, how they intersect with different types of communities and how they will help or perhaps harm the most vulnerable among us.” (source)
Empowering Older Adults
Contrary to stereotypes, older adults are eager to embrace technology to enhance their health. Matthew Buman, a professor at ASU, discussed studies where digital tools, such as smartphone interventions, effectively reduced screen time among seniors by an hour daily, promoting more active lifestyles.
The Promise of ‘Digital Twins’
Diane Cook from Washington State University introduced the concept of “digital twins” – virtual models of individuals created from data. These twins can predict how a person might respond to specific health interventions, allowing for personalized and effective treatment plans.
The summit underscored that blending technological innovation with a deep understanding of human behavior is key to creating inclusive digital health solutions that truly serve all communities.
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