Technology to enable public to become 'co-creators of their own health', says Government paper

Technology is set to revolutionise healthcare enabling people to become 'co-creators' of their health, rather than 'passive recipients of care', a Government green paper has announced.

From artificial intelligence to genomics (the study of genomes), new technologies will be used to create a new prevention model, one which may even be able to treat babies pre-birth.

Through incorporating data-collecting technologies, such wearable smart devices, the NHS' health interventions are set to become increasingly bespoke, whilst access to health information will be made easier.

'Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s' is a preliminary report made up of Government proposals, designed for consultation.

Other ambitions for the forthcoming decade, include the target to end smoking in England by 2030, the introduction of a mental health prevention package, and a strategy to stave off childhood obesity, including banning the sale of energy drinks to children and ensuring nurseries incorporate physical activity – be it skipping or walking – into their timetable.

The paper also reveals government plans to focus more on the connection between sleep and health. The aim is to work towards the creation of a national set of guidelines informing the public on a recommended number of hours of sleep to aim for per day, according to age, and to promote 'sleep hygiene' as a means to achieve healthy sleep.

The document also lays out plans to encourage 'social prescribing', where doctors and health professionals look to non-medical solutions, such as referring patients to community services or advising they take up activities, for instance, walking in nature.

The aim, the paper says, is to broaden focus from life span to include health span – to enable the public to stay healthy for longer.