Helen Burstin

Big Data, Small Devices: How Technology Is Advancing Public Health

Anna Barker, Helen Burstin, Atul Butte, Eric Friedman, Kyu Rhee

This panel discussion highlighted the explosive growth of global data, noting that internet-connected devices now number 50 billion while genomic sequencing efforts aim to process the health records of 25% of the world's population by 2025. Experts outlined strategic shifts toward predictive, personalized, and preventative care models utilizing IBM Watson and wearable technology to bridge the decade-long gap between research discovery and clinical application. The dialogue concluded by addressing critical challenges regarding data interoperability, digital equity, and the transition from episodic treatment to continuous population-level monitoring through distributed data ecosystems.