World Economic Forum: Wearables measure a range of useful data – but are they missing the full picture?
The World Economic Forum asked us to write around wearable tech such as smart watches and rings, and how air pollution data could be integrated to give an all-round view on an individual's health. Wearables could soon measure environmental factors such as air pollution, heat and noise, which all strongly influence performance, recovery and health. Research links short-term air pollution exposure to reduced heart rate variability, increased atrial fibrillation risk and slower race times. Environmental exposure-aware platforms can empower individuals, improve equity, inform city planning and enable preventive healthcare at scale.