We are starting to see more devices now that have wireless and use accelerometers to create data reports.  Back last year I had included some information about imagethis device on wireless and data reporting devices.  Since such time, iPhones and a few other related devices have emerged on the scene that also collect and report data.  The Fitbit is another devices you can sleep with too if you desire.  

Wellness Programs Come in all Shapes and Sizes and Hold Financial Incentives

The key is to keep your doctor and you in the loop so intelligent decisions can be made, and not a one cure for all wellness solution is used as what might be a good plan for one, may not work for the next.  There are common grounds for healthy living that all promote obviously, but just as medicine is getting very personalized, so is wellness.  The PHR is the common ground where everything can be evaluated and lays the footwork for such a process to take place, again with your doctor involved.

Perhaps the next level up for this device is with the HealthVault if you want to perhaps share information with your doctor.  The data does not go to your pc, but rather the website, and I might guess this is to enable the algorithms that need to run to give you the data.  BD

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From the website, part of the privacy policy:

Fitbit may make anonymous or aggregate personal information and disclose such data only in a non-personally identifiable manner to:

  • Organizations approved by Fitbit that conduct or consume research into health and wellness
  • Users of the Service for purposes of comparison of their personal health and wellness situation relative to the broader community.
  • Advertisers and other third parties for their marketing and promotional purposes, such as the number of users who clicked on a particular Fitbit Offer;
  • Such information does not identify you individually. Access to your Registration Information, Account Credentials, Account Information and any other personal information you provide is strictly restricted to Fitbit employees and contractors, as needed, and in accordance with specific internal procedures and safeguard governing access, in order to operate, develop or improve the Service. These individuals have been selected in accordance with our security policies and practices and are bound by confidentiality obligations. They may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations.

There are other options mentioned as well if you agree to 3rd party applications and permissions.  This is important to read and understand today so you know exactly who and where you are granting permission to your personal data.  The company is letting you know there may be offers on the website and through other partners who may be using the data with your given permission and this could include different varieties of wellness and fitness organizations, but again be sure to read and know what you are sharing. 

“There are a number of separate products and services offered by third parties advertised by us on our Site and through the Service that may be complementary to your use of Fitbit.com, such as health clubs, weight loss programs and sports and fitness equipment makers (collectively, “Fitbit Offers”). If you choose to use these separate products or services, disclose information to the providers, or grant them permission to collect information about you, then their use of your information is governed by their privacy policies. You should evaluate the practices of external services providers before deciding to use their services. Fitbit is not responsible for their privacy practices. If you click on a link to a third party site, Fitbit encourages you to check the privacy policy of that site. Fitbit may present links in a format that enables us to keep track of whether these links have been followed and whether any action has been taken on a third party Web site. We use this information to improve the quality of the Fitbit Offers and customized content on the Service.”

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You can wear the Fitbit Tracker loosely in your pocket, clipped to your pants, shirt, bra or to your wrist when you are sleeping. You can wear it all day!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/29/fitbit-tracker-starts-shipping-ready-to-monitor-your-fitness-s/

Hat Tip:  Medgadget 

Related Reading:

Employers in search of ways to help keep health insurance costs low – How far will it go?
The Wellness Programs: Payouts to Those Who Work Out - Insurers give discounts on premiums
Congress Plans Incentives for Healthy Habits ,Wellness Programs, and Devices? How Potentially Intrusive and Disruptive Will It Get to Save Money?
Target Corporation Partners with Red Brick Wellness Program
The Wellness Programs: Payouts to Those Who Work Out - Insurers give discounts on premiums
 

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