Global consumption of wearable healthcare technology is projected to rise 42-fold by 2050, reaching nearly two billion units annually and generating an estimated 3.4 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, according to an analysis published in the journal Nature.
The study finds that China is likely to account for the highest annual greenhouse gas emissions from wearable healthcare electronics by mid-century, followed by India. Beyond climate impact, the analysis also highlights growing concerns around ecotoxicity and electronic waste linked to the large-scale deployment of these devices.
Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Chicago estimate that a single wearable healthcare device can emit between 1.1 and 6.1 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent over its full lifecycle, spanning raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, and disposal. Carbon dioxide equivalent is used as a standard measure to compare the warming impact of different greenhouse gases relative to carbon dioxide.
The assessment shows that switching to recyclable or biodegradable plastics delivers only limited environmental benefits, while reducing reliance on critical metals and optimising circuit design can substantially lower environmental impacts without affecting device performance.
The researchers conducted a life-cycle assessment of four representative wearable healthcare devices: a non-invasive continuous glucose monitor, a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor, a blood pressure monitor, and a point-of-care ultrasound patch. These devices were selected based on clinical relevance, diversity of sensing technologies, and representation across different stages of technological maturity.
The analysis suggests that non-invasive continuous glucose monitors could become the dominant category by 2050, accounting for about 72 per cent of global wearable healthcare device consumption. Continuous ECG monitors are projected to represent around 19 per cent, followed by blood pressure monitors at eight per cent. By mid-century, annual sales of non-invasive glucose monitors alone could exceed current global smartphone sales, estimated at around 1.2 billion units in 2024.
The findings underline the need for environmentally responsible design and manufacturing strategies as wearable health technologies become increasingly central to digital healthcare worldwide.
