Smartwatches and GPS devices show promise for tracking environmental health impacts in real time

Researchers at The City University of New York have demonstrated that combining wearable devices, smartphone location data, and real-time surveys can effectively track how environmental exposures—such as extreme heat and air pollution—affect individuals' health immediately. As climate change intensifies these environmental hazards, this innovative approach offers a practical way to capture both physical and emotional responses to environmental stressors in real time. The pilot study shows the feasibility of using consumer technology to gather personalized health data linked to geographic location and environmental conditions. This real-time monitoring capability could help healthcare providers better understand individual vulnerability to environmental factors and develop targeted interventions. For Puerto Rico residents facing increasing heat and air quality challenges, such tools could provide valuable insights into how climate-related exposures affect daily health and wellbeing.