Well-Being, Public Engagement, and Healthcare

Abstract

By 2050, an estimated 70% of the global population is expected to live in cities, meaning that innovative ways to keep the growing urban population healthy and active will need to be created—technology is part of the solution. This chapter will explore comprehensively how public health and well-being can be improved using technologies. Virtual care, or the act of contacting a doctor through phone or video calls, has grown in popularity in recent years as it allows for more flexible access to medical care for those living in remote communities and those with busy schedules or mobility issues. Following will be discussion on the role technology has played in stymying the spread of infectious diseases, most recently experienced during the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The use of contact tracing and phone signals to predict outbreaks, for example, proves to be an effective strategy for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and exemplifies one of the many ways in which technology can create healthier cities. Lastly, the relationship between social connection and health and how they can be fostered through technology will be discussed.