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Making health technology accessible to everyone (Massive Science)
Who is most likely to feel the impact of soaring health care costs and cuts in government spending? It’s those that have historically been underrepresented in the US: older low-income adults, people with mental illness, and racial/ethnic minority patients. New technologies can improve the health and wellness of underrepresented groups, but despite the recent growth […]
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Bringing mental health to the forefront of COVID-19 (Thrive Global)
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in travel restrictions, border shutdowns, and widespread stay-at-home orders around the world. While most governments are advising self-isolation and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus, we must be mindful of what this regulation means in practice and its impact on daily living. As cities continue to propose […]
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Loneliness is an epidemic that technology can solve (Inverse)
Our world is becoming increasingly lonely. More than one-third of Americans over the age of 45 report loneliness, particularly those under 25. Nor is it a problem limited to Americans. Over 9 million British people “often or always” feel lonely, and South Africa, Japan, and Brazil rank in the top 10 loneliest countries in the world. Perhaps it […]
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The future of VR in sport, exercise, and health (IEEE Potentials)
According to Gallup, 57% of people age 50 and older are sports fans. Television audiences across most professional sports boast older demographics in increasing numbers. For example, the average age of a baseball viewer is 57, up from 52 in 2006. This is a huge market opportunity for the sports industry, although we cannot ignore […]
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How self-care technology can reduce medical costs (Salon)
In recent years, healthcare has experienced an explosion in digital innovations designed to improve longevity and quality of life. These innovations include sensors, talking devices, and even virtual reality that patients can now use for physical exercise and pain treatment, a clinical outcome resulting from telemedicine interventions. Artificial intelligence — the core technology behind smartphone […]
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Disrupting the status quo in healthcare (Brandchannel)
Resilience is the will and ability to try and try again. Healthcare needs resilience, and this was the fitting backdrop for the inaugural HLTH: The Future of Healthcare conference in Las Vegas. If you’re wondering, HLTH is a vowel-free variation on HEALTH, a brilliant move by conference organizers encouraging disruptive innovation across the healthcare ecosystem. The event drew more than 3,500 […]
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How cities and older adults improve health (Pfizer Get Old)
Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities once wrote: “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” An inspiring call to action for the young and old alike, the statement prompts an important question related to the experience of […]
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Will robots care for you in your old age? (MarketWatch)
Eliezer Yudkowsky, a leading proponent of “friendly” artificial intelligence, offers a cautionary observation about the potential of AI — performing tasks that usually require human intelligence. “The greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence,” he writes, “is that people conclude too early that they understand it.” Any serious discussion of AI’s impact on the aging population must […]
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Is medical data collection too narrow? (Philips)
Medical data has traditionally been a product of information obtained through health tests, but this form of data collection can often fail to contribute to true preventive health care. Health systems and data are designed to treat patients, but patients ultimately want to return to being just people again. But what if health systems and […]
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Tech, alcohol, and ageism on the minds of experts (Next Avenue)
Late last month, more than 6,000 professionals in gerontology and geriatrics convened in San Francisco for the 21st IAGG World Congress, an event that occurs every four years, and brings together representatives from disciplines such as medicine, nursing, and social science, to address the latest ideas to improve the quality of life for older adults. […]
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What’s the link between alcohol and dementia? (Aging Life Care Association)
Studies have shown that excessive alcohol use can lead to many health problems such as dementia and cognitive decline, particularly among older people. While researchers are still learning about the link between drinking and dementia, it is important to act now to raise awareness of alcohol consumption as a risk factor. In recognition of National […]
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The promise of big data for longer, healthier lives (LinkedIn)
In the near future, almost everything we touch will generate data, including our homes, our cars, and our bodies. From artificial intelligence to data science, the impact of big data continues to drive innovation and transform many industries. One area that is on the cusp of revolutionary change is healthy aging and prevention. Since big […]
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What can a simple fruit fly teach us about aging? (Bio Detectives)
A recent study could lead to interventions that extend human lifespan and improve health in our later years. Based on new evidence regarding a DNA-based theory of aging, this field aims to attenuate diseases of aging such as cancer, hypertension and Alzheimer’s disease. Aging research dates back many years, but thanks to scientists at the Buck […]
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People with Disabilities Shine At 2015 Special Olympics (The Avenue)
From July 25 to Aug. 2, people with disabilities will be at the forefront for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles. The importance of delivering a successful event in these games should not be underestimated. While not as popular as the Summer Olympic Games, this event gives these persons a platform […]
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Imagine spending one hour in solitary (The Nahmias Cipher Report)
LOUISIANA, United States – What comes to mind when people think about solitary confinement? Society depicts prisoners in locked cells with little or no contact with the outside world. This is the reality of thousands of prisoners throughout the penal system in America, but what makes this subject topical and visceral is the recent release […]
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The dirty little secret of elder abuse (The Nahmias Cipher Report)
On Monday, June 15, nations around the world commemorated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEEAD). Elder Abuse continues to be a significant issue in many societies as reports of mistreatment against older people are increasing. The thought of harming an older person suggests severe dysfunction in the perpetrator, and with the plethora of local and […]
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Sophie Okolo, MPH 