Health Monitoring Devices

Health Monitoring Devices have gained popularity over the past few years, and hold promise in helping people to reach their wellness goals. However, these devices rely on un-representative data-driven algorithms, which leaves ethnic minorities vulnerable to their ineffectiveness.

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Influence of Skin Type and Wavelength on Light Wave Reflectance

The intent of the study was to determine the influence of skin type and wavelength on light reflectance for pulse rate detection. PPG sensors detecting changes in blood flow are assessed for effectiveness on dark and light skin tones. Studies have shown that green light lacks precision and accuracy, and may not read at all […]

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Accuracy in Wrist-Worn, Sensor-Based Measurements of Heart Rate and Energy Expenditure in a Diverse Cohort

The ability to measure physical activity through wrist-worn devices provides an opportunity for cardiovascular medicine. However, the accuracy of commercial devices is largely unknown. The aim of this work is to assess the accuracy of seven commercially available wrist-worn devices in estimating hea… This research paper assesses the accuracy of seven commercially available wrist-worn devices, […]

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Debiasing artificial intelligence: Stanford researchers call for efforts to ensure that AI technologies do not exacerbate health care disparities

Medical devices employing AI stand to benefit everyone in society, but if left unchecked, the technologies could unintentionally perpetuate sex, gender and race biases. Medical devices utilising AI technologies stand to reduce general biases in the health care system, however, if left unchecked, the technologies could unintentionally perpetuate sex, gender, and race biases. The AI […]

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How medicine discriminates against non-white people and women

Many devices and treatments work less well for them This article explores how the pulse oximeter, a device used to test oxygen levels in blood for coronavirus patients, exhibits racial bias. Medical journals give evidence that pulse oximeters overestimated blood-oxygen saturation more frequently in black people than white.

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How a Popular Medical Device Encodes Racial Bias

Pulse oximeters give biased results for people with darker skin. The consequences could be serious. COVID-19 care has brought the pulse oximeter to the home, it’s a medical device that helps to understand your oxygen saturation levels. This article examines research that shows oximetry’s racial bias. Oximeters have been calibrated, tested and developed using light-skinned […]

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Skin Deep: Racial Bias in Wearable Tech

Technology influences the way we eat, sleep, exercise, and perform our daily routines. But what to do when we discover the technology we rely on is built on faulty methodology and… Health monitoring devices influence the way that we eat, sleep, exercise, and perform our daily routines. But what do we do when we discover […]

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Fitbits and other wearables may not accurately track heart rates in people of colour

Many popular wearable heart rate trackers rely on technology that could be less accurate for consumers who have darker skin, researchers, engineers and other experts told STAT. An estimated 40 million people in the US alone have smartwatches or fitness trackers that can monitor heartbeats. However, some people of colour may be at risk of […]

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Limiting racial disparities and bias for wearable devices in health science research

Consumer wearables are devices used for tracking activity, sleep, and other health-related outcomes (e.g. Apple Watch, Fitbit, Samsung, Basis, Mio, PulseOn, Who Consumer wearables are devices used for tracking activity, sleep and other health-related outcomes, intended to help people reach their wellness goals. However these wearables are less accurate for people with darker skin tones, […]

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