Wearable health devices: Wearable health gadgets like continuous glucose sensors, ECG trackers, and blood pressure monitors are becoming part of everyday care. But a new analysis published in Nature suggests the world may be heading for a massive jump in how many of these devices we use.
The study projects that global consumption could grow 42 times by 2050, reaching close to two billion units every year. With that scale comes a climate and waste challenge: the annual footprint could reach about 3.4 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions, along with rising e-waste and potential ecotoxicity from discarded electronics.
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The report estimates that one wearable healthcare device can contribute roughly 1.1 to 6.1 kg CO2-equivalent over its full life, starting from raw material extraction and manufacturing, all the way to disposal. It also forecasts that China would account for the largest share of yearly emissions from these devices in 2050, with India next, based on expected demand and adoption patterns.
To arrive at its projections, the study uses a life-cycle assessment approach and models four commonly used device types: a non-invasive continuous glucose monitor, a continuous ECG monitor, a blood pressure monitor, and a point-of-care ultrasound patch. One of the more practical takeaways is that “greener” outer casings may not deliver big gains. The analysis suggests that recyclable or biodegradable plastics provide only limited improvement.
Larger reductions are more likely to come from redesigning the electronics, especially by replacing certain critical metals used in conductors and improving circuit design to lower impact without reducing performance.
The study also projects a shift in the market mix over time: while ECG and blood pressure monitors may dominate early, continuous glucose monitors are expected to become the largest category by 2050, making up around 72% of annual device use, followed by ECG devices (19%) and blood pressure monitors (8%).