She got a Big Data, so I call her Big Data

Big Data is a huge proponent in health care. With technological advances, soon it will be the norm for people to have wearable or internal signals gathering data on our biological processes.

“It is likely to happen even before we figure out the etiquette and laws around sharing this knowledge.”

Companies, such as Nike with Nike+ FuelBand, already track peoples’ daily activity from steps taken to amount of calories burned. Their focus is to help people develop an exercise routine and weight loss wouldn’t hurt.

Another company, MC10, will offer ‘stretchable electronics’ for clothing, as temporary tattoos, or installed within the body.  The company says they will be capable of measuring heart rate, brain activity, body temperature, and hydration levels. Much like MC10, another company, Proteus, will start its “Digital Health Feedback System”, which will also have microchips in pill form that have the ability to capture vital data, powered by your own stomach fluids.

“Ultimately, we see ourselves as a part of the healthcare ecosystem. Data will need to be shared seamlessly between customers, providers, and payers in order to reduce healthcare costs and simultaneously deliver the best possible care.” – Amar Kendale, MC10’s VP of market strategy and development

With all these companies utilizing big data methodologies and concepts, it’s exciting to see how the future will progress in healthcare. The only thing that puts me off on the grand scheme of things, is how ‘deterministic’ the world is turning.

To each his own, but I guess in a few years, we’ll probably know exactly what those are.

Article: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/07/big-data-in-your-blood/