Does Technology Affect Our Health - Essay Example

Does technology affect our health? Lecturer: Medicine history shows that technology produces radical changes in the way people understand human disease, the interventions used in treating diseases and even the way health care is provided. For instance, microscope is useful in showing the effects technology has had in transforming approach to health and disease. Before the invention of the microscope, there was little understanding regarding the existence of microorganisms or even the cell structure of human body (Bushko, 2002). Moreover, these advances in technology have changed the way people live their lives because for some individuals the advances mean increased working time. Constant engagement with businesses associated with computers leave individuals feeling exhausted a problem brought about by technology. Therefore, technology in the modern world plays a significant role in improving the way people deal with diseases because it influences both mental and physical health in people. Although, various physiological, physical, and social problems can be brought about by introduction of Video Display terminals in offices and homes, health aspects associated with technology have continually propelled life activities across the globe. Some common ailments associated with sedentary lifestyle propelled by technology include visual problems, posture problems and several psychosocial problems because of stress. Nevertheless, technology is an essential ingredient in health care because healthcare incorporates either human interaction or application of technology but in most cases, both are incorporated simultaneously in healthcare. Since the origin of human kind, technology has continually influence human health because the development of tools like containers for carrying things across the world play a significant role in sustaining and advancing human activities. Moreover, the development in agricultural technologies, strong building materials, and metal among others played a significant role in civilization. These technologies were fundamental in sustaining human health; moreover, the technologies continue to play an essential role in human health across various populations across the globe (Fett, 2000). Apart from fundamental technologies of civilization, various technologies have resulted in profound and positive effect on human health across the globe. Some of these technologies include sewage and water supply systems, and antibiotics. Moreover, a recent discovery in technology regarding the effects of vitamin A supplements shows its effects in decreasing the severity of measles in children. The influence of public health interventions on people has been essential because in the 20th century life expectancy in developed nations increased from 45 to 75 years. Studies show that the increase life expectancy was because of the decrease in infectious diseases propelled by the introduction of effective medical interventions like antibiotics and vaccines. Moreover, the decrease in mortality is attributed to improvements in living conditions propelled by technological developments (Fett, 2000). As technology accelerates healthcare modernization, technology also continues to build and help boost the new period in health care. The new era of health care focuses on the patient by properly integrating the conveniently available information that works as an advantage for improving health and delivering improved services to patients. Technology transformed many industries and continues to fuel improvements in health care in the quest of providing seamless and efficient health care (Fasano, 2013). The prevailing trend to a longer life is propelled by the improved medical technology combined with healthy life style. Moreover, technology affects human health in that it allows individuals to search information on health and disease on the internet, which enhances their chances of properly understanding healthy lifestyles. This in return propels individuals to seek diagnosis and treatment based on ideas of their health condition (Spekowius & Wendler, 2007). Nevertheless, advances in medicine technology have a dual role of increasing and decreasing healthcare cost because some technologies are expensive when carrying out diagnosis and treatment; even though, they propel longer life expectancy and facilitate acceptable quality of life. Advances in technology assists in early recognition or avoidance of diseases that eventually helps avoid costs associated with expensive treatment (Spekowius & Wendler, 2007). Health care providers and the consumers alike usually consider new health care technologies with enthusiasm because of their great faith in the technology’s effectiveness. For instance, the last 4 decades have witnessed substantial decline in mortality from coronary heart disease owing to computer modeling. The reduction is attributed to decreased prevalence in risk factors within the population and even improvements in the treatment of patients suffering from the disease. The decline in mortality associated with coronary heart is attributed to primary prevention and improved treatment of the disease all of which are propelled by technology. Hence, new technologies in medicine offer opportunities for treating and even raising the quality of treatment that eventually increase the amount of people who benefit regardless of the costs associated with the treatment (Fett, 2000). Even though technology has offered many positive effects on human health, technology also has negative effects associated with it. For instance, people who spend a lot of time engrossed in video games, chatting with friends online and even watching movies end up having little time for exercising and being active. People engaging in these sedentary activities are likely to eat unhealthy foods, which propels obesity because the individuals do not have the time to exercise and burn the extra calories they take. Obese people are prone to opportunistic diseases like diabetes that eventually affect the health of such individuals. Sedentary lifestyle is influenced by increased technological interaction and involvement because studies in children and adolescents show an association between obesity and television or video game. Studies show that sedentary lifestyle often correlates to obesity propelled by the increased ‘technologised’ work and leisure in both children and adults. For instance, in the past activates like amusement arcade or even cinema were carried out in an external environment; however, technology has enabled that to be done at home or the workplace (Griffiths, 2010). Technology in human health has been essential even though, its development enabled many activities to be done without the need to leave home or the office space. This is propelled by technology as it increasingly becomes convergent like the capabilities of smart phones allowing smart phones to access the internet, which enable increased multi-media interaction. Consequently, people of all ages spend most of their time interacting with technology through the internet, smart phones, television, and interactive games all of which affect health in various ways like decreasing activity that ultimately increase the possibility of people becoming obese (Griffiths, 2010). Although there is evidence linking sedentary lifestyle and health outcomes like obesity cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer, and psychosocial problems propelled by technology, the improvements in technology have played a huge role in dealing with these diseases. The high levels of TV and video watching are associated with high risk of developing colon cancer in men and women as well as endometrial cancer in women (Tremblay et al, 2010). Studies show that physically active individuals indicate great satisfaction, self-esteem, and physical self-perception compared to individuals who engage in sedentary lifestyle (Tremblay et al, 2010). Clearly, technology has many positive influences on human health regardless of various negative effects associated with technology on human health. Technology influences human health since it enhances the provision of better and enhanced means of treating and even preventing infections. Moreover, technology plays a significant in food production, sewage, and water supply systems that affect human health. Therefore, civilization through technology allowed construction of better housing and improved health care; moreover, civilization directly influenced human health through provision of better services like vaccines for many diseases that previously were threats to human life. Nevertheless, technology has a downside in that it promotes sedentary lifestyle through its integration of various technologies that effectively decrease human activity, which predisposes people to diseases associated with obesity like diabetes. References Bushko, R. G. (2002). Future of health technology. Amsterdam [u.a.: IOS Press [u.a.. Fasano, P. (2013). Transforming health care: The financial impact of technology, electronic tools, and data mining. Fett, M (2000). Technology, Health and Health Care. Retrieved 12 April 2014 from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/DA8177ED1A80D332CA257BF0001B08EE/$File/ocpahfsv5.pdf Griffiths, M. D. (2010). Trends in technological advance: Implications for sedentary behaviour and obesity in screenagers. Education & Health, 28(2), 35-38. Spekowius, G., & Wendler, T. (2007). Advances in healthcare technology: Shaping the future of medical care. Dordrecht: Springer. Tremblay, M., Colley, R., Saunders, T., Healy, G., & Owen, N. (2010). Physiological and health implications of a sedentary lifestyle. Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism, 35(6), 725-740. doi:10.1139/H10-079 Read More