Wearable Technology for Monitoring Warfighters Health

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Getting a clear picture of military force readiness requires, among others, updated information about the health of warfighters. The military health system currently struggles with ways to collect and communicate health information from warfighters on the ground, whether in theater or in garrison. 

“The ability to electronically capture health data will be of vital importance. And the emerging sensor technologies provide an opportunity for military leaders to measure readiness not only in the case of a casualty, but also in the field before any casualties occur,” said Erik Buice, Vice President of Civil and Health at Northrop Grumman Corporation. Such sensors, now showing rapid adoption in the consumer market, can monitor a variety of health information in real time.

The wearable fitness trackers technology has evolved into smart health watches that can monitor heart rhythms and send alerts for those experiencing atrial fibrillation. 

Also, innovative healthcare-specific devices — wearable electrocardiogram devices, wearable blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, and biosensors — can measure vital data such as heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, oxygen saturation, and hydration levels.

In the future, the military could embed such sensors in uniforms or equipment to improve the ability to monitor medical readiness and lethality. Health data can be collected from rings to smart watches to sensors embedded in standard issue military equipment, according to healthcareitnews.com.