One digital health through wearables: a viewpoint on human–pet integration towards Healthcare 5.0

Wearable technologies mark a transition in healthcare evolution, from paternalistic (Healthcare 1.0) to reactive (Healthcare 2.0), proactive (Healthcare 3.0), and data-integrated care (Healthcare 4.0). The next stage, Healthcare 5.0, envisions the seamless integration of human and pet health data, fostering a more holistic approach to disease prevention and management. In this viewpoint, we explore the disruptive potential of integrating health monitoring between humans and pets through wearable technology, highlighting the interconnected nature of human-pet health. We examine the parallel evolution of human and pet health monitoring, assessing current technologies and their potential to enhance both fields. We discuss that wearable technologies not only improve chronic disease management but also enable early detection of zoonotic and emerging diseases. Additionally, we emphasize the potential re-usability of human wearable devices for pets, outlining the associated technical challenges. This can lower costs and accelerate adoption, offering mutual benefits for both domains. We address the need for an integrated, linked platform that enables real-time data analysis. Data integration ultimately results in better diagnostic accuracy, optimized treatment plans, and enhanced quality of life for humans and pets. Re-purposing wearables for human-pet health monitoring enables real-time data collection, predictive analytics, and prevention to accelerate the implementation of Healthcare 5.0.