In a blog post, retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal writes that for the past few months he has been working with the technology company Qualcomm, "learning about how wireless and health technologies can improve health and cut the costs of healthcare." Apparently, Shaq is "intrigued by the opportunities in this area so immediately jumped at the chance to join in the debate on health."
When it comes to chronic diseases, in particular, Shaq sees a "huge opportunity" to educate people who have or may develop type 2 diabetes about the "amazing innovations entering the market today to help them manage their disease and reduce the risk of serious complications."
Thanks to the advent of mobile health technologies, he says consumers "can now monitor their health and fitness, better manage their chronic diseases or avoid them altogether." Shaq reveals that he uses a FitBit activity monitor to track his fitness levels and is "finding motivation in the real-time data I can collect on my movement--or lack thereof!"
Though he acknowledges that mHealth "can't solve all of our problems," the former basketball great argues that "not only can mobile health technologies be engaging, social and easy-to incorporate into your everyday lifestyle, but using them for health monitoring will actually save between $1.96 billion and $5.83 billion in healthcare costs worldwide by 2014." Article