The next generation of wearable health monitoring technology will be developed and trialled in ground breaking research funded by the Australian Government.

Four research projects providing better health monitoring and access to diagnostic testing will receive a total of $7.5 million under the Medical Research Future Fund’s Primary Health Care Research initiative.

Three devices that can be worn in clothing or as accessories—known as “wearables”— will be trialled in the research. The devices will monitor blood pressure in people with hypertension, movement of children with cerebral palsy who cannot walk, and healthy behaviours such as exercise and nutrition in people with Type 2 diabetes.

The fourth project will provide access to a full blood examination at the point -of-care in 20 remote Northern Territory primary healthcare services, which are yet to be chosen. Patients with severe infection (sepsis) could be diagnosed within 10 minutes, rather than four to seven days.

The projects will commence as soon as practical and will be completed within five years.