This week’s Smart Health roundup features why workplaces may soon implement the use of fitness trackers, an app to help in post-op recovery, fitness band from software giant broadens reach and a wearable bracelet that charges your device in a most peculiar and personal way.

Health trackers may soon become mandatory in workplaces

A report from Verizon Enterprise Solutions revealed that health trackers such as Fitbit and Jawbone UP will be introduced in the workplace by 2018 as employers adopt an incentivized wellness program to address the rising cost of health care for its employees.

Nancy Green, global practice lead for health care at Verizon Enterprise Solutions, stated that the tracker data will become a part of a person’s health record. The Cleveland Clinic is already utilizing fitness trackers to reduce its annual insurance growth rate by focusing on health programs. A healthier workforce requires fewer visits to the emergency room and lower medical cost, not to mention employees being more productive as they don’t have to miss work days because of falling ill.

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My Recovery app developed by surgeons

Thomas Harte, a trainee orthopaedic surgeon, and his team at FH Works developed the My Recovery app, which aims to help patients who will undergo or underwent surgery determine whether their post-op symptoms are normal or something that needs to be dealt with immediately by a physician.

The My Recovery app offers interactive video-centric content that can be prescribed to post-op patients to aid them in their recovery. Currently, the app is directed at people who underwent elective knee surgery, but it can be altered to work for other elective surgeries.

Harte and his team have struck a deal with U.K.’s largest independent hospital, Wellington Hospital, to finance a pilot study of the app. Neil Buckley, Wellington Hospital CEO, believes that the app is worth trialing as it was created by doctors and clinical relevance is evident. If successful, My Recovery  could help reduce the amount of time people who underwent surgery spend in the hospital, significantly cutting their medical bills.

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Microsoft Band soon to be available in the U.K.

Microsoft announced that Band, its fitness band, will be available for consumers in the U.K. starting April 15 with a £170 price tag. The device is now available for pre-order.

Last October Microsoft launched Band, which not only tracks the wearer’s heart rate, steps, calories burnt and sleep quality, but also allows them to stay on top of things with email previews, Facebook posts, texts and calendar alerts. It features a colored screen and claims a battery life that lasts more that two days on a single charge. It is powered by Microsoft Health, a new service that helps people live healthier lives.

In February, Microsoft released an update that adds features such as  “web dashboard, biking functionality, new ways to scan and respond to incoming notifications, and integration with Microsoft HealthVault and MapMyFitness.” Microsoft will also be selling the Band in other retail and web stores to address the shortage and demand for the device.

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Pornhub’s Wankband

Pornhub.com, Inc., one of the most popular porn site today, is developing a wearable band that harnesses the energy a male produces with the up and down movement created when pleasuring themselves. Called the Wankband, the device aims to harvest the ‘dirty energy’ and store it so you can use it to charge your mobile device when you’re out.

Masturbation may not be a topic you’d openly discuss with anyone but it does have its health benefits, such as relieving stress as well as keeping your bodily functions – heart rate, blood pressure, reproductive system, brain chemistry – in good working condition. It has also been revealed that it lessens the risk of males developing prostate cancer by flushing out cancer-causing chemicals.

Pornhub is currently looking for beta testers and you can sign up here if you’re interested.

photo credit: Peter Parkes via photopin cc