There’s no question that health technology has completely transformed what it means to know your health status. From AI symptom checkers that mimic triage nurses to at‑home testing kits and wearable monitors that track vitals in real time, technology promises a future where individuals can interact with their health outside clinical walls.
And not only outside of actual clinics, hospitals and doctors’ offices, but outside of the formal infrastructure of traditional healthcare.
In theory, this could democratise access to care, empower patients and ease pressure on overstretched systems and overworked physicians. Especially in regions in which healthcare providers are few and far between – whether due to the availability of qualified practitioners or a lack of finances to remunerate them.
But, as powerful as these tools are, they come with real potential costs – both financial and societal – that raise an uncomfortable question: will modern healthtech become a luxury only the wealthy can afford?
Health technology, broadly defined, spans AI diagnostic tools, telehealth platforms, mobile apps, wearables and at‑home testing kits. These innovations have brought unprecedented convenience to people in developed markets, offering insights that once required expensive imaging or specialist visits.
From smartphone‑enabled urine tests to AI‑based health assistants, the message is clear: health information is more accessible than ever. But as the industry scales, disparities in access are becoming more pronounced.
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Lisa Dawson