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Technology is currently changing the healthcare industry at an incredible high speed. Our ability to capture data from wearable devices such as smartwatches will give us the ability to increasingly predict and treat health issues in people even before they experience any symptoms (Marr, 2019). 

When it comes to treatment, we will see much more personalized approaches. This is also referred to as “predictive medicines” which allows doctors to more precisely prescribe medicines and apply treatments, thanks to a data-driven understanding of how effective they are likely to be for a specific patient. Personalized or predictive medicine is based on use of biomarkers or phenotypic traits allowing for advance selection of optimal effective therapy or else to minimize undesirable side effects (Agache & Hellings, 2018).

Although not a new idea, thanks to recent developments in technology, especially in the area of genomics and AI, it is giving us a larger explanation of how different people’s bodies are better or worse equipped to fight off specific diseases, as well as how they are likely to react to different types of medication or treatment.

The use of AI could really set this development in motion even faster. What to think of using this for people to see how their body fights of COVID-19. It could protect the weaker people even better in order to open the world faster, this could be really useful for a future pandemic. 

With smartwatches getting better and used more, the use of predictive medicines will become better and better. Also, the introduction of AI as well as good use of data could really develop the healthcare industry to a more personalized approach. As with business the last years, the consumer approach will also increase in healthcare.

References: 

Agache, I., & Hellings, P. (2018). Implementing Precision Medicine in Best Practices of Chronic Airway Diseases. Elsevier Gezondheidszorg.

Marr, B. (2019, 18 oktober). The 7 Biggest Technology Trends In 2020 Everyone Must Get Ready For Now. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/09/30/the-7-biggest-technology-trends-in-2020-everyone-must-get-ready-for-now/?sh=58e945e42261

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With the help of the Chinese cryptocurrency VeChain and their new blockchain technology, businesses are encouraged to track and report their carbon emissions. With the growing importance for the environment, the carbon emissions of supply chain companies are a huge problem in the world. During the recent ‘China International Fair for Trade in Services 2021’, PwC China presented its digital service platform Air Trace. Throughout the show, they stated that Air Trace is powered by the cryptocurrency VeChain. The so called “supply chain cryptocurrency” VeChain has announced the new service for combining businesses to overhaul their carbon footprint data management practices as well. 

The way the technology works is that VeChain launches a new Software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model called “The Digital Carbon Footprint” and it enables customers to log key data and integrate it with world-leading third-party assurance providers within VeChain’s blockchain network. The key data can be used to improve sustainability performance across the supply chain companies. 

A problem for this important and confidential carbon emission data is trust and transparency. The public blockchain of VeChain solves this problem by providing transparent accountability for all layers of the supply chain network. 

Alexandre Gellert Paris, associate program officer at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, recently noted that “blockchain can contribute to greater stakeholder involvement, transparency and engagement and help bring trust and further innovative solutions to the fight against climate change, leading to enhanced climate action.”

Last year, China has actually devolved as a big player in the cryptocurrency market by introducing a lot of regulations for Bitcoin, for mining to trading and for other cryptocurrencies as well. VeChain however is getting support, maybe because of their Chinese nature. 

This initiative by VeChain is another step in China trying to lower his carbon emissions, as they are the worlds largest polluters. China has an important role in new technologies to support international climate actions and this initiative of PwC China and VeChain is one of them to get insights into the consumption of supply chain companies. 

China News Report: PwC’s Low-Code Digital Service Platform ‘Air Trace’ Powered by VeChain. (2021, 6 september). VeChain Foundation. https://vechainofficial.medium.com/?p=fdfb407db894

Farren, T. (2021, 26 augustus). VeChain launches blockchain platform to encourage carbon data reporting. Cointelegraph. https://cointelegraph.com/news/vechain-launches-blockchain-platform-to-encourage-carbon-data-reporting