Withings Health Institute

Editorial

Dr. Eric Topol
The Scripps Research Institute

Just a few years ago, counting steps with wireless accelerometers became the rage. While these were first launched via sneakers with an embedded sensor in the sole to accomplish the same tracking capability, wearable sensors on the wrist or in a pocket proved to be far more popular. Indeed, it didn’t take long before 1 in 10 Americans used one of these activity-tracking devices. But there were problems – their accuracy was questioned, they frequently got lost, and for most people their use hardly proved to be durable. Nevertheless, for many these sensors have provided an inducement for more activity, which, overall, has been desperately needed. But this was just the first wave of smartphone adds (hardware) and apps to promote a healthy lifestyle.

We’ve now moved on to many new sensors and metrics to track through the smartphone, including blood pressure, heart rhythm, oxygen concentration in the blood, and several more. This represents a significant foray into the medical sphere, transcending and complementing healthy lifestyle, which, of course, should not be diminished in emphasis. But with so many important chronic conditions – accounting for over 75% of American health care expenditures – it’s especially important that we can track these vital indices.

The new movement of “patient-generated data” (PGD) has just begun. It has immense potential – not just to help patients take on a far more important role in their own health care, but also the particular advantage of having context for their medical information from their daily lives. As this takes hold, it will require acceptance from the medical profession, which is unfamiliar and rather uncomfortable with this new way that data will flow. The ultimate goal is that it prevents each of us from becoming patients, so PGD may be considered a misnomer. Fully connected to one self’s relevant medical information to stay well. That’s a ways off, but something worth dreaming about.

Our mission

The Withings Health Institute is a portal whose purpose is to echo the new knowledge created by connected objects and patient generated data. It is intended to feature the latest news in mHealth and relevant scientific studies, and to publish unprecedented analyses generated by Withings. In the portal, citizens, researchers, doctors and decision-makers alike will find unique insights aimed at improving the control of one’s health, raising public awareness, and optimizing healthcare.

Connected health is a revolution for the better management of one’s health and for the advent of preventive, predictive and personalized medicine. It is set to bring about a paradigm shift for healthcare, driving change through data. In making mHealth insights public and raising awareness, the Withings Health Institute strives to bolster innovation and accelerate changes in healthcare. We work hand in hand with physicians and research institutions to provide relevant analyses, all generated following strict scientific methodologies.

Withings Health Observatory

Thanks to the power of connected devices, Withings is able to provide a health observatory accessible to the general public. Using real-time data, this tool allows us to track the prevalence of key risk factors linked to lifestyle: sedentary behavior, overweight and obesity, and high blood pressure.

The observatory invites you to discover exclusive data and information gathered from the Withings community. Which American states are most affected by sedentary behaviors or by overweight and obesity? Are all age groups affected? Check out the informative graphs and charts of the Withings health observatory to learn more about health behaviors and different lifestyles across the US.

Discover the Observatory