S&T - Health

Question 1

Google are able to predict medical trends

Answer 1

By collecting data on the medical-related search queries; enable professionals to predict a disease outbreak

But, in 2013, Google Flu Trend failed to predict the flu outbreak – but, it still shows the potential of how data can be used.
The question going forward now is how build on and strengthen these efforts, while still guarding the privacy of individuals and the proprietary interests of the holders of big data

Question 2

Communication technology has aided the sharing of info

• increasing accessibility of healthcare

Answer 2

Telemedicine - useful for LDCs

• used extensively in the Haiti earthquake in 2010
• helped decrease the diseases by 30%

Question 3

Healthcare technology can only benefit people if they are able to afford it

• useless if people are unable to afford it

Answer 3

Many Singaporeans afraid of falling sick - a survey by Mindshare showed that 72% Singaporeans are afraid of falling sick due to high medical cost (single MRI scan cost 1,000)

South Africa – 4 million HIV citizens; unable to afford due to patents

Question 4

MNCs - profit driven

Answer 4

Price of life-saving HIV treatment hiked by 5,000% - MNCs claimed needed the price increase for R&D

Question 5

Growing fast food industry

Answer 5

India

• fast food industry expected to double between 2013 and 2016
• world’s second highest child obesity