Artificial intelligence (AI) initially made its mark in academia, followed by transformative impacts in robotics and automation. Today, AI is set to revolutionize healthcare and diagnostics in a similarly profound way. Through AI-powered medical diagnostic devices and wearables, the technology is becoming an integral part of people’s lives, allowing for earlier detection of potential health risks and empowering individuals to take preventive actions.

For tech-savvy generations like Millennials and Gen Z, AI has become an essential tool in health management. These generations are highly dependent on technology-driven devices and wearables that provide faster, more efficient, and round-the-clock access to health screenings. Wearables equipped with AI-driven diagnostic imaging, predictive analytics, and digital health records are creating a comprehensive ecosystem for disease prevention.

Beyond smartwatches and fitness trackers, smartphones are also playing a key role in health monitoring. These devices and apps allow users to track their physical activity, vital signs, and overall health in real-time. Studies show that one in four adults in the U.S. own a smartwatch, and more than two-thirds of Gen Z and Millennials in the U.S. use wearables to monitor their health. This widespread adoption of AI-powered devices underscores the strong connection between technology and health-conscious consumers in advanced economies.

The market for wearable medical devices is also experiencing rapid growth. What sets AI-driven wearables apart is their ability to offer personalized alerts and proactive recommendations, enabling users to seek medical care promptly in emergencies. Additionally, these devices have become a fashionable statement. In India, the wearable medical devices market, valued at $1.3 billion in 2022, is expected to reach $5.7 billion by 2027, with the global market projected to hit $14.5 billion.

AI-driven medical diagnostic devices are further transforming the health screening landscape. These devices not only provide general health insights but also predict long-term health risks, allowing users, even at a young age, to take control of their lifestyle and well-being. By analyzing data patterns, AI offers predictive health insights, helping individuals understand their risk trajectory and make informed health decisions.

The future of AI-based diagnostics depends on the continued evolution of advanced AI tools that create more accurate and personalized diagnostic models. AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data—such as medical images, bio-signals, and patient history—to identify potential health risks early, enabling preventative interventions and reducing the likelihood of chronic diseases.

One of the key advantages of AI-based diagnostic devices is their ability to offer highly personalized, private, and preventive care. As data privacy and security are top concerns for Gen Z, these AI-driven tools cater to their desire for confidential and customized healthcare solutions. As digital-first generations increasingly prioritize privacy and tailored services, AI and machine learning technologies will continue to meet their expectations for advanced, preventive health management.

Authors Biography

Dr. Bilal Thangal is the Medical Lead at NURA, where he standardizes screening protocols, updates guidelines, and enhances medical procedures. He also trains doctors and staff in medical ethics and patientcentered care. Before joining NURA, Dr. Bilal was a Senior Resident in Critical Care in Kerala for six years, specializing in ICU management.

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It’s often said that moderation is key to everything we do. Whether it’s sitting, walking, standing, running, or lying down, these are everyday movements that we naturally engage in throughout the day. Each activity has its own benefits, but overdoing any of them can lead to discomfort and strain.Excessive walking, standing, or running can result in tired, sore legs and muscles, particularly in the back. Conversely, spending too much time lying down can lead to overall soreness in the back and body. Therefore, finding a balance in our daily movements is important for maintaining comfort and well-being.

The Sedentary Lifestyle Epidemic

Many of us spend the majority of our waking hours seated, whether at work, during our commute, or indulging in screen time at home. This sedentary behavior has become ingrained in our daily routines, contributing to what experts have termed the “sitting epidemic.”

Just like smoking, sitting for a long time can lead to many health issues, like obesity, heart disease, and some cancers. Studies show that people who sit a lot are more likely to die early, even if they exercise regularly. This highlights the importance of tackling the problem of sitting too much and its serious effects on our health.

Understanding the Parallels

Just as smoking was once normalised and even glamorised in society, prolonged sitting has become an unquestioned norm in many workplaces and social settings, as people who spend longer hours sitting often work more. Moreover, both behaviours are difficult to break due to ingrained habits and societal influences.

The Role of Innovation in Health

To combat the sedentary lifestyle epidemic, innovation in health must play a pivotal role. This entails not only raising awareness about the dangers of prolonged sitting but also implementing creative solutions to encourage movement throughout the day.

Creating Healthy Habits

While innovation in health can provide valuable tools and resources, fostering lasting behavior change requires a multifaceted approach. Education plays a crucial role in empowering individuals to make informed choices about their lifestyles. By raising awareness about the parallels between prolonged sitting and smoking, we can challenge societal norms and motivate individuals to prioritize movement and physical activity.

In addition, creating supportive environments that promote active living is essential. Employers can implement workplace wellness programs that incentivize physical activity and provide opportunities for movement throughout the workday. Similarly, urban planners can design cities and communities with walkable neighborhoods, bike lanes, and green spaces that encourage outdoor activity.

The parallels between prolonged sitting and smoking serve as a wake-up call, urging us to reevaluate our sedentary lifestyles and prioritize movement and physical activity. Through innovation in health, we have the opportunity to revolutionize our approach to combating the sitting epidemic and improve our overall well-being.

By embracing ergonomic solutions, leveraging technology, and fostering healthy habits, we can create environments that support active living and reduce the prevalence of sedentary behavior. Together, let’s take a stand against the silent threat of prolonged sitting and pave the way for a healthier future.

Author’s biography

Dr. Soumya Singh, Head of Partnerships at InnovatioCuris, is a healthcare expert with a postgraduate degree in Health and Hospital Management and a background in dentistry. Her articles provide valuable insights into healthcare administration

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“Fitness” is a broad term. It means something different to each person. It is infact a very personal term. In general, fitness is the ability to live a full and balanced life. It breeds self-reliance and keeps man mentally alert. Physical fitness is also essential for human beings to adjust well with their environment as their mind and body are in complete harmony.

In 1967, H.Harrison Clarke, who has significantly contributed in the field of physical education and is the author of multiple books on physical education defined fitness as “ The ability to carry out daily tasks (work and play) with vigour and alertness without undue fatigue and with ample energy to enjoy leisure time pursuits and to meet unforeseen emergencies”.

But in today’s fast-paced world where everything is INSTANT-from instant food (whether healthy or not), instant news (fake or otherwise), instant google answers (many a times creating confusion) to instant money transfer (though filled with security issues), everyone has forgotten that the beauty of life lies in focusing on “Being in the Present”.

According to my observations, there are two groups of population. One group of the population, especially the youngsters, expect instant fitness failing to understand the fact that it could turn out to be dangerous. They forget the fact that “PATIENCE IS THE KEY”. The saddest part is that with the beginning of new year and with a list of resolutions in mind, the overzealous, instant gratification selves of this group of people emerge and they do too much exercise in order to make up for the lost time. They can be called the “FITNESS FREAKS” and they develop an unhealthy obsession with staying healthy.

“It’s going to be a journey, it’s not a sprint to get in shape” -Kerri Walsh Jennings

The other group of population are those who do not want to start any type of physical exercise, at any point of time and they just keep postponing. They are known as the “SEDENTARY” population and are defined as those expanding less than 10% of their daily energy in the performance of moderate to high intensity activities. This attitude is harmful for the generation. In today’s rush, they fail to realize that health is a precious asset until it has been depleted. The start is what stops most people especially in matters related to fitness.

Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. -Arthur Asle

Now, I leave it to the readers to decide about which group of population they belong to. There is also one last group of population about which I have not mentioned. These are the people who have already started with the fitness activities but are still left with lot’s of confusion in their minds and infact are strong believers of some common ‘myths’ as ‘facts’ associated with fitness. The purpose of my article is basically to throw some light over these myths, misconceptions and misbeliefs and to highlight some DO’S AND DON’TS about fitness in a simple, comprehensible and lucid way.

Irrespective of the type of person you are, here goes the list of some DO’S AND DON’TS about fitness for all.

DO’S

1. Always get a physical examination and consult experts: Everybody is different and every person reacts to muscle strain in a different way. So kindly consult your physician for a general health check up before you engage yourself in any kind of new exercise or fitness workouts. Never hesitate to take advice from experts (physical therapist or personal trainer). Make sure you do the exercise safely and effectively.

2. Be determined and set your goal: The best investment you can ever make is in your health. When you feel like quitting, always think about the reason for your initiation. 

3. Do it for yourself: Fitness is not about being better than someone else, it is all about being better than you used to be. Being the best version of oneself.

4. Set aside time for exercise: Put all your excuses aside and make time for exercise. One hour of workout is just 4% of your whole day. Cut the time you use for browsing through WhatsApp and social media pages or the time you use for playing some online games to make time for exercise.

5. Make it a habit: Research shows that frequent, early repetitions of certain behaviours, such as exercise, make it more likely to become something you do automatically. Once you see the results, it becomes an addiction. Fitness is more about mental than a physical challenge.

6. Take rest at regular intervals: According to the performance and well-being coach George Anderson- “For most of the people especially beginners, periods of recovery between sets or intervals allows for higher intensity, better quality movement, lower risk of injury and a greater training stimulus that is likely to lead to superior results”. Remember that “Soreness is never a sign of good workout”. Less rest never means that you are working hard. Pain always signals that something is not working properly. Overexertion signs are fatigue, muscle soreness, dehydration, exhaustion.Overexertion can cause injuries like muscle sprains, strains and tears, tendinitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Joint dislocations, herniated discs, stress fractures etc.

7. Always keep yourself hydrated: There is always the risk of dehydration especially while working out in hot, humid weather and during rigorous prolonged workouts due to excessive sweating. Severe dehydration could be dangerous as it can create electrolyte imbalances and strain the muscles.

8. Record your improvements: Always keep a track of your improvements whether physical or mental as they give a sense of pride in your accomplishments and motivate you to continue in your path towards fitness without any hindrance.

DON’TS

1. Do not get obsessed with fitness: There lies a darker reality behind the fitness fanatics. Especially with the ongoing COVID pandemic, we are exercising now more than ever. But everything in moderation is best. Everything that exceeds the bounds of moderation has an unstable foundation. These days the “fitness trackers” and devices of various brands like Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, Huawei are used ubiquitously and they have occupied almost everyone’s wrists. According to a recent report by Glasgow-based general practitioner Dr. Des Spence, all health-tracking devices were contributing to an ‘unhealthy health-obsessed generation’ (also published in British Medical Jour

2. Never start off too hard: It is always better to take small steps. A journey of a thousand miles always begins with a single step. Don’t be overwhelmed and do not binge on exercise. Slow down and start again after you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Moderate exercise has shown to improve the immune system while excessive exercise could suppress it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), increased workouts don’t assure health benefits. Experts say that extreme exercises may also lead to heart damage and heart rhythm disorders. One study found that repeated extreme exercises can remodel the heart, thickening the heart walls and scarring tissue. You don’t have to be extreme, just be consistent

3. Don’t just focus on weight loss: It’s quite common for the beginners to check their weight on the weighing scale after every workout and keep a track of even a gram increase or decrease in weight. Don’t make weight loss your sole marker of success. You will lose weight slowly. Target on fat loss rather than on weight loss because as you become fitter, you will gain muscle and become more toned –muscle weighs more than fat. So the process is definitely a slow one.

4. Do not starve/ Don’t binge: Make sure to give your body the right nutritious food to fuel your workouts. Women are at risk for what is known as the “female athlete triad” that includes: loss of menstruation, osteoporosis and eating disorders. These symptoms arise from a combination of overexercise and calorie restriction. Also there is an eating disorder known as “Orthorexia nervosa” that involves an unhealthy obsession with eating foods that one considers as healthy.

Lastly, I would also like to add that Fitness has no age limits. It is not limited to workout routines, equipment or machinery. You could choose your own way to be fit. Even simple house cleaning or dancing or short walking can be preferred for staying fir. Fitness can be found at your fist. Yes, clenching a smiley ball in your fist is also a way of exercising. It’s never too early or too late to work towards being the healthiest and best version of you.

I would conclude with these beautiful lines: “Train like an athlete, eat like a nutritionist, sleep like a baby, win like a champion”.

So let’s all begin our journey towards HEALTH, HOPE AND HAPPINESS………….

Composed by: “Dr. Shubha. H.V is a pathologist working as Lab head in SRL diagnostics, Fortis hospital, Rajajinagar, Bangalore.”

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