The Future Of Health 2014 www.psfk.com/future-of-health / #FutureOfHealth A Foreword PIERS FAWKES Founder & President, PSFK Labs labs.psfk.com Imagine a future where wearable technologies track key areas of your life to provide timely prompts about your health, and the data gathered can be uploaded securely to the cloud. Instead of going into the doctor’s office for a checkup, you would schedule a video consultation to discuss your recent readings. In instances when you need further care, your visits would be coordinated by medical records that flow seamlessly between key members of hospital staff and your care would be supported by relevant information that prepares you for what’s next. Your surgeon would be able to look at your results alongside the wider patient population or seek advice from specialists around the world to determine an optimal treatment plan; the effectiveness of which would determine their compensation. While the realities of the current model of healthcare tell a different story, we’re beginning to see exciting signs of change against daunting challenges. The World Economic Forum estimates that unless current trends reverse, five common ‘lifestyle’ diseases— cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease and mental health problems—will cost the world $47 trillion in treatments and lost wages. Add that figure to a system that could see a shortage of 90,000 doctors in the US alone by the end of the decade, and the picture becomes bleak. Rather than view these as insurmountable obstacles, we choose to see a landscape full of opportunity. Despite a slow regulatory process a host of new mobile and social tools, sensor technologies and devices are being developed for an industry in need of change. These innovations are poised to improve health lifestyle choices and change the way care is delivered. We’re excited to share this patient-centered vision in our latest report.