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DOES IT MEAN THAT DIGITAL HEALTH DATA IS GOING INTO EXTINCTION?


 As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the amount of personal health data being generated and shared is growing at an unprecedented rate. In 2020, it was observed that the average person had over 1,400 interactions with digital health devices each day. These devices include wearable fitness trackers, mobile apps, electronic health records, telemedicine platforms, and more. They collect a wide range of personal health data, such as activity levels, sleep patterns, heart rate, blood pressure, medication adherence, and more.


This exponential growth in digital health data has made it a prime target for cybercriminals, who seek to exploit this information for their own gain. Data breaches and cyberattacks in the healthcare sector have become increasingly common in recent years, with millions of patient’s personal health information being compromised. As a result, digital health data protection has become a critical issue for healthcare providers, patients, and regulators around the world.


To put the scale of the issue into perspective, it's worth noting that around 30% of the world’s total data volume is accounted for by digital health data. In 2020, there were over 350,000 health applications available worldwide, with approximately 90,000 new ones launched in the same year. These applications offer a wide range of features, from mental health management to disease-related information or medication reminders, and are used by millions of people around the world.


However, the convenience of digital health applications also poses a significant risk to the privacy and security of personal health data. Data breaches can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and even physical harm to patients, making it essential for healthcare providers and application developers to take adequate measures to protect their users' personal health data.


To address this issue, regulatory bodies have been introduced to ensure that personal health data is collected, processed, and stored in a safe and secure manner. This includes guidelines for data encryption, access control, and data minimization, among other things.


In conclusion, digital health data protection is a critical issue in today's digital age. As the amount of personal health data being generated and shared continues to grow, it is essential that healthcare providers, application developers, and regulators take the necessary steps to protect this sensitive information and ensure patient privacy and security.

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