4.4 Health
Mindmap
Notes
⚕️ 4.4A Medicine and health
| Subtopic | Examples of uses | Positive impacts | Negative impacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💻 Approaches to the design and delivery of medical diagnostics and care | - Telemedicine platforms (Teladoc, Doctor on Demand) - AI-powered diagnostic tools (IBM Watson Health, Google DeepMind) - 3D-printed prosthetics (e-NABLE) | - Increased access to healthcare - Earlier detection of diseases - Personalized treatment plans | - Concerns about data privacy and security - Potential for misdiagnosis - Reduced human interaction |
| 🔬 Medical research and development | - Collaboration platforms (ResearchGate, Mendeley) - Virtual clinical trials - AI-assisted drug discovery (BenevolentAI, Atomwise) | - Accelerated research and development - Improved data sharing and collaboration - Reduced costs | - Potential for bias in AI algorithms - Ethical concerns around data use and ownership |
| 📊 Health and wellness records, monitoring and tracking | - Electronic health records (Epic, Cerner) - Wearable fitness trackers (Fitbit, Apple Watch) - Health tracking apps (MyFitnessPal, Strava) | - Improved patient outcomes - Increased patient engagement - Data-driven insights for public health | - Risks of data breaches and privacy violations - Potential for discrimination based on health data |
🗞️ News item: In 2020, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) partnered with Google DeepMind to develop an AI-powered alert system that can predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients up to 48 hours in advance, potentially saving thousands of lives each year. (Source)
👤 4.4B The human body
| Subtopic | Examples of uses | Positive impacts | Negative impacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⚙️ Human enhancement, bio-hacking, implanted technology, exoskeletons and organ printing | - Brain-computer interfaces (Neuralink) - Robotic exoskeletons (Ekso Bionics) - 3D bioprinting (Organovo) - DIY biohacking communities (Biohack.me) | - Improved quality of life for people with disabilities - Potential for enhanced human capabilities | - Ethical concerns around human augmentation - Risks of unregulated or untested procedures - Potential for widening social inequalities |
| ♿ Accessibility approaches for differently abled people and communities | - Screen readers (JAWS, VoiceOver) - Eye-tracking technology (Tobii) - Speech recognition software (Dragon) - Adaptive gaming controllers (Xbox Adaptive Controller) | - Increased digital inclusion and access for people with disabilities - Improved independence and quality of life | - High costs of assistive technologies - Compatibility issues with some digital platforms |
| 💺 Ergonomic design | - Adjustable standing desks - Ergonomic keyboards and mice (Microsoft Sculpt, Logitech Ergo) - Blue light filtering glasses (Gunnar, Felix Gray) | - Reduced risk of musculoskeletal disorders - Improved comfort and productivity | - Potential for overreliance on ergonomic solutions - Limited effectiveness for some individuals |
🗞️ News item: In 2019, Microsoft launched the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a customizable gaming controller designed for players with limited mobility, in collaboration with organizations like The AbleGamers Charity and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. (Source)
🧠 4.4C Mental health
| Subtopic | Examples of uses | Positive impacts | Negative impacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🛋️ Approaches to understanding and ensuring mental health | - Mental health apps (Headspace, Calm) - Online therapy platforms (Talkspace, BetterHelp) - AI-powered chatbots (Woebot, Wysa) | - Increased access to mental health support - Reduced stigma around seeking help - Data-driven insights for research | - Concerns about data privacy and security - Potential for misuse or overreliance on digital tools |
| 📱 Intersections of digital systems and mental health, for example, attention, addiction and anxiety | - Screen time tracking tools (Apple Screen Time, Google Digital Wellbeing) - Social media awareness campaigns - Digital detox retreats (Camp Grounded, Digital Detox Company) | - Increased awareness of digital habits and their impact on mental health - Tools for managing screen time and notifications | - Potential for increased anxiety or guilt around digital use - Limited effectiveness for some individuals |
🗞️ News item: In 2020, the meditation app Headspace partnered with the California Governor's office to offer free subscriptions to all unemployed Californians, recognizing the mental health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting job losses. (Source)