pLOG

2024-05-02

【Technology Guarding Heart Campaign】: Enhance health through technology, achieve better work performance!

Severe mental health issues in Asia directly affect quality of life and workplace efficiency. Research indicates that individuals with poor mental health have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing the correlation between mental and physical health. 

Wearable devices show great potential in managing mental health, enhancing the effectiveness of interventions. PatientsForce innovative home care service promotes preventive medicine, using health measurement devices to manage both physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of health management.

Up to 80% of Asian office workers have potential mental health risks

According to the "2023 Asia Mental Health Index" report, 82% of employees in Asia face moderate to high levels of mental health risks (Note 1). This not only affects individuals' quality of life but may also lead to a decline in workplace productivity. In fact, mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress are not only threatening to our mental well-being but also significantly associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Association between Mental Health and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Research from Johns Hopkins University shows (Note 2) that individuals with poor mental health have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The study found that individuals who perceived their mental health condition as poor for 1 to 13 days in the past 30 days had a 1.5 times higher risk of cardiovascular diseases compared to those without mental health issues; for those who perceived it as poor for 14 to 30 days, the risk was 2.3 times higher.

Individuals with major mental health issues usually have poor dietary and sleep habits, as well as engage in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive sedentary lifestyle. Unknowingly, cardiovascular diseases will be exacerbated. This demonstrates the close relationship between mental and physical health, especially in influencing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the necessity of actively addressing and improving mental health.

Application of Wearable Devices in Mental Health Management

Fortunately, technological advancements provide us with new solutions. A recent study by Labfront, ThoughtFull, and Garmin shows that wearable devices can not only monitor physical activity, sleep quality, and heart rate data but also significantly improve the effectiveness of mental health interventions by integrating subjective feedback from patients.

Users of wearable devices experienced a 37% improvement in mental health indicators, demonstrating the significant potential of these devices in health management in daily life. Not only do they help improve mental health, but they also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with poor mental health conditions.

Promotion of Digital Home Care Services

PatientsForce has developed CompanionCare – an innovative digital home care service. Besides assisting cardiovascular or hypertension patients in continuing hospital-level care at home, it also encourages people to practice "prevention is better than cure" in daily life. By using health measurement devices such as Garmin at home to manage both physical and mental health, focusing on and investing in good health management is a responsible act for oneself, family, and career. Let us further become good partners in supporting social health promotion.

PatientsForce Integrated Lead, April Li