From the first ever vaccine to AI-powered devices that fit in the palm of your hand – and innovations in science-based nutrition in the past few decades have been nothing short of enthralling! World Health Day, which also marks the World Health Organization’s 75^th anniversary this year, is a reminder of how scientific and technological advancements are transforming ‘health as we know it’.

Health tech is crafting a better today and changing our tomorrow. It is shaping the future of healthcare by enabling human-powered health. It is tackling current health challenges as well as preparing the world to overcome challenges in the future, going beyond the unpredictable to the truly preventable.

Innovations in medicine, nutritional supplements and health technology have ensured that healthcare continues to evolve in ways that are making it more accessible, accurate and adaptive.

So what does people-first healthcare look like? It is:

Watchful and discerning

Breakthroughs in science and technology are helping us detect, respond to and stay ahead of health and health challenges, like never before. This evolution of tech has facilitated a proactive approach to healthcare, as we become increasingly involved in the management of our own health. It all starts at the source – innovations in diagnostics technology aid in the detection of a diverse range of health challenges including cancer and diabetes. They are pushing the boundaries with enhanced capabilities that gather accurate, detailed and timely information about our bodies at the molecular level. Health tech is also helping set the base for future-proof healthcare, with advancements that have enabled a sense of preparedness where earlier there was none… something that has become even more valuable after the pandemic. Advanced diagnostic capabilities, screening tools and rapid testing capabilities are equipping the world at large to better detect, manage and curb the spread of virulent diseases such as influenza, HIV and Covid-19.

Seamless and empowering

Progress in health technology has paved the way for new possibilities, for those who previously have had limited to no treatment and management options. Managing chronic illness, like cardiac disease, can be complex, to say the least, and technology is helping ease the burden and mitigate the stress that handling a chronic condition can bring. The advent of minimally invasive cardiac devices, like transcatheter aortic valve implantation system, for instance have simplified and streamlined treatment and provide hope for those who are in higher-risk categories and cannot opt for traditional, more invasive procedures like open-heart surgery. These advancements are enabling people to recover and reclaim their lives faster. Tech is also bringing back a sense of control; remote monitoring systems today allow doctors and patients alike to detect issues and initiate timely action. It provides peace of mind and enables a proactive and connected approach to healthcare.

Intuitive and intelligent

Accessibility to information and the means to understand our bodies make all the difference in managing our health. And futuristic sensor-based wearables help with that and more! Intuitive tools like continuous glucose monitors provide insights about our health markers like glucose levels in real-time, enabling us to understand our body and its needs better. They help us take charge of our health concerns, track progress, gauge the effects of adjustments to our diets and activity levels, and provide assurance that we are being looked after… enabling us to live our best lives.

Balanced and supportive

What is human-focused healthcare if not supportive? Advancements like nutritional supplements are helping us build the foundation for good health. They help bring in what we sometimes lack and ensure that we have options to nourish the body in a balanced and healthy manner. Whether it is to support healthy growth during early years, balance out day-to-day health goals or as a therapeutic tool for those with chronic illnesses, science-based aids like supplements can help bridge the gaps. The use of supportive health products like nutritional supplements are also immensely helpful in tackling public health challenges like malnutrition, on a larger socio-economic scale.

Healthcare today is collaborative, connected and far-sighted, much like the many inspiring initiatives undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO) over the decades. And it is getting even more so. The creation and utilization of technologies that once seemed like a dream, are empowering innovation, reaching the unreachable and making health possible for all!

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.