Health for yourself or for society?
Since we were asked to refrain from engaging in economic activities or from going out due to the pandemic, we realized for the first time that there is a risk that we ourselves can become a source of infection. However, it can be difficult to determine whether an outing or errand is nonessential and non-urgent. Even if we have an errand to run, we might worry about what others will think of us and thus feel pressured to stay at home whenever possible. By repeating such judgments, health management conducted by personal operations will be recognized as a social activity for reducing the burden on the government and the medical system.
In order to reduce medical expense, health monitoring and scoring of heart rate and blood pressure by ourselves becomes widespread. People who are forced to improve their lifestyles as if they were obliged to meet the numerical targets set by the country have a doubt about this system. On the other hand, the advantages of comprehensive diagnostics information are acclaimed since people can easily grasp their own health condition which is provided from the country. However, since, in some cases, a serious illness is identified, clarifying everything of health condition makes people unnecessarily sensitive. In addition to improving the medical literacy of individuals, mental health care is required when a symptom that is difficult to cure appear.
Healthcare based on data measurement and analysis that uses wearable sensors, etc., has become a habit for many of us, similar to brushing our teeth after a meal. The annual health checkup transforms into a proactive service that is based on monitoring, and if someone remains in unhealthy condition intentionally, he/she receives a doctor’s recommendation, just as a kind of “expired vehicle inspection”. People accept the monitoring and care system for both their own health and social health; however, people gradually lose the ownership of their healthcare management as if they are completely leaving their asset management to a robo-adviser.
As more and more people conduct most of their activities at home, it is important for all households to build an online environment to prevent isolation. Real-time exchange that allows users to report the recent status (health condition, financial situation) with others living in remote areas spreads, and online communication is regarded as one of the “social lives”. While a safety net is built to save vulnerable people, the choice of “desiring to be alone” without any communication with the community or any remote communication with others is considered a problematic behavior.
Appropriate communication tools for maintaining mental health spread among people, and mental disorders of individuals are quickly detected and treated. Measuring mental health and practicing self-care at home have become a part of daily life. Therefore, it is less likely for people to become depressed or socially isolated. On the other hand, while it is desirable to have an environment in which people are always connected to society in some way, it is unusual to consciously cut off contact with society such as long-term seclude life and “enjoy being alone” with a strong determination in mind, becoming a rarity as an unconventional and luxurious experience.
