Smartphones became a crucial item for people to keep on hand over a decade ago, and their necessary nature is now beyond dispute. Other forms of tech that were released a bit more recently are also seeing a similar level of desirability, and wearable tech in particular is starting to be seen as a necessity because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up helping you keep track of your health.
Smart watches such as the one offered by Apple and Xiaomi can be extremely useful for keeping track of your pulse, fitness and your oxygen intake. This helps improve medical research as well, and it has also saved a few people’s lives with all things having been considered and taken into account. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the expensive nature of these watches is pricing out underrepresented and underprivileged people, and that has the potential to lead to further inequality in the field of health which can already be seen in many areas of society.
The National Institute of Health recently conducted a study that involved a survey of around 1,000 people. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this study revealed how much inequality there is in wearable tech. People that can’t afford them are being left behind in medical research because it’s more difficult to collect data about the symptoms they are experiencing, the lifestyles they take part in as well as their medical history.
While the free market means that corporations can’t be forced to sell products for any cheaper, and in fact this might lower the quality of the products in question, underprivileged minorities need to be given access to at least bare bones versions of these pieces of tech. Technology is rapidly becoming a universal requirements, and it might not be long before people start saying that it is their right to be able to own smart watches so that they can get accurate and high quality healthcare.
Read next: YouGov’s Poll Reveals American Sentiments on Free Speech and the Internet
Smart watches such as the one offered by Apple and Xiaomi can be extremely useful for keeping track of your pulse, fitness and your oxygen intake. This helps improve medical research as well, and it has also saved a few people’s lives with all things having been considered and taken into account. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the expensive nature of these watches is pricing out underrepresented and underprivileged people, and that has the potential to lead to further inequality in the field of health which can already be seen in many areas of society.
The National Institute of Health recently conducted a study that involved a survey of around 1,000 people. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this study revealed how much inequality there is in wearable tech. People that can’t afford them are being left behind in medical research because it’s more difficult to collect data about the symptoms they are experiencing, the lifestyles they take part in as well as their medical history.
While the free market means that corporations can’t be forced to sell products for any cheaper, and in fact this might lower the quality of the products in question, underprivileged minorities need to be given access to at least bare bones versions of these pieces of tech. Technology is rapidly becoming a universal requirements, and it might not be long before people start saying that it is their right to be able to own smart watches so that they can get accurate and high quality healthcare.
Read next: YouGov’s Poll Reveals American Sentiments on Free Speech and the Internet
