Babbage: An app a day keeps the doctor away

<p><a href="https://www.economist.com/technology-quarterly/2022/05/01/wearable-devices-are-connecting-health-care-to-daily-life?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=babbage&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wearable devices</a>, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, can <a href="https://www.economist.com/technology-quarterly/2022/05/01/wearable-devices-measure-a-growing-array-of-health-indicators?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=babbage&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">measure a growing array of health indicators</a>. Machine learning can filter that torrent of data to reveal a continuous, quantified picture of you and your health. But wearables linked to health apps are not only able to help diagnose diseases—they are <a href="https://www.economist.com/technology-quarterly/2022/05/01/some-health-apps-are-able-not-just-to-diagnose-diseases-but-also-to-treat-them?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=babbage&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">beginning to treat them too</a>. We explore the technology that promises to revolutionise health care. Alok Jha hosts.</p><p><br></p><p>Listen to our recent episodes on the use of wearable technologies in health care at <a href="https://www.economist.com/babbagewearables?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=babbage&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economist.com/babbagewearables</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastoffer?utm_campaign=ba