Flexible sensing electronics for digital health across the human lifecycle: prospects for pregnancy, infancy, and old age

Flexible sensing electronics are emerging as a crucial interdisciplinary research area in materials science, electronics, and clinical medicine due to their advantages in wearable comfort, long-term monitoring capability, and real-time data transmission. These technologies not only broaden the reach of centralized healthcare services but also generate large volumes of reliable data through continuous monitoring, thereby enhancing the accessibility of digital health across the entire human lifecycle. By extracting individual characteristics from big data and incorporating personalized attributes to address diverse needs, flexible sensing electronics enable personalized medical services and facilitate comprehensive health monitoring. However, most reviews have primarily focused on the general population, neglecting the distinct requirements of individuals at key life stages. This review explores the potential of flexible sensing electronics in advancing inclusive digital health and personalized medicine across the lifecycle from a developmental perspective. We discuss health monitoring needs and the latest advancements in flexible sensing electronics at key life stages, including pregnancy, infancy, and old age. Furthermore, we highlight emerging opportunities at the intersection of flexible sensing electronics, wireless technologies, and artificial intelligence in digital health. Finally, we provide an outlook on the prospects and challenges of the seamless integration between flexible sensing electronics and digital health.