Consumer wearable devices and disease prevention
Research has linked wearable devices with the prevention, detection and mitigation of disease. What are the public health benefits and what are the risks?

This POSTnote describes edge computing, the use of computing resources in close proximity to the place where data are processed within a network, and some of the opportunities and challenges associated with its use. It supplements POSTnote 629.
Edge computing (228 KB , PDF)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58248/PN631
Edge computing describes the use of computing resources (including data storage and processing) located close to the devices which generate the data, rather than relaying this data to a remote cloud computer to perform computations. It is suited to applications that require quick computation and use large volumes of data, which would require high bandwidth for transfer to the cloud. It may also offer some privacy benefits as more data can be processed locally rather than being sent to a cloud. However, the distributed nature of edge computing, and the need for many individual devices to connect and interact, poses a number of unique challenges to its widespread adoption.
Key Points
Acknowledgements
POSTnotes are based on literature reviews and interviews with a range of stakeholders and are externally peer reviewed. POST would like to thank interviewees and peer reviewers for kindly giving up their time during the preparation of this briefing, including:
*denotes people and organisations who acted as external reviewers of the briefing.
Edge computing (228 KB , PDF)
Research has linked wearable devices with the prevention, detection and mitigation of disease. What are the public health benefits and what are the risks?
This POSTnote summarises the challenges and opportunities relating to the production, regulation and consumption of cultivated meat, also known as 'lab grown' meat.
This briefing explains digital twin technology and how they are used in different sectors. It also outlines how the UK is investing to develop national capability in this technology, and the associated opportunities and challenges for its wider application.