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90 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2023 Sure, smartwatches are state-of-the-art and snazzy, but what do they really tell us about our health? Do their growing reams of data on us impress or carry clout with actual health care professionals? Let's dive into watches, from start to future. The Past Watches have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the 15th century. Back then, they were nothing more than minia- ture clocks worn around the neck or kept in a pocket. It wasn't until the 16th century that a Swiss watchmaker invented the wristwatch, primarily for women to wear as a fashionable accessory. Wristwatches gained popularity among men in the late 19th century, thanks in part to soldiers using them during the Boer War in South Africa for timing military operations. During the next century, watches contin- ued to evolve with innovations like the elec- tric watch and quartz watch; it wasn't until the 21st century that the watch indeed became "smart." With the advent of Bluetooth and touchscreens, watches incorporated features like notifications, GPS, and fitness tracking. Now, smartwatches are more than just a way to tell time; they're mini computers we wear on our wrists. So, aer almost 600 years of tech- nological advancements, how "smart" are our watches today? How smart are our watches at telling us about our health? The Present Smartwatches are the latest technological innovation in the world of health and fitness. ese wrist-bound devices are jam-packed with features that make tracking your health How Health Smart Are Smartwatches? The Doctor's In by Henry Crandall, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH/IPC STUDENT BOARD MEMBER