#United States #New York #King's College #Garmin Health #EMBRACE program

Garmin's Historic Collaboration with King's College London

Garmin, the well-known fitness technology company, has taken a significant step towards advancing health research by teaming up with King's College London. Announced during the Garmin Health Summit at the New York Stock Exchange, this partnership marks a pivotal moment in the integration of wearable technology into medical research, particularly in maternal and infant health.

The EMBRACE Program

Under this collaboration, Garmin will serve as the exclusive smartwatch provider for an innovative research initiative called the Enhanced Maternal and Baby Results with AI-supported Care and Empowerment (EMBRACE) program. This large-scale study aims to gather health data from up to 40,000 adult participants, including expectant mothers and their partners, globally. The overarching goal is to leverage biometric data obtained from Garmin devices to enhance health outcomes for mother and child.

Jörn Watzke, the Senior Director of Garmin Health, expressed pride in this collaboration, stating, "King's College London is leading the way in integrating wearable technology into world-class research studies. Our collaboration with them under the EMBRACE program highlights our commitment to data quality, integration, and privacy."

What Garmin Brings to the Table

Each participant in the EMBRACE program will receive either a Garmin smartwatch or fitness tracker. These devices are equipped to monitor critical physiological metrics such as:

• - Heart rate
• - Heart rate variability
• - Sleep patterns
• - Physical activity
• - Energy expenditure
• - Body Battery™ levels
• - Beat-to-beat intervals

Using these insights, researchers plan to develop AI algorithms aimed at predicting and addressing various health conditions related to pregnancy, including gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension. The data collected will not only benefit the immediate study but also inform ongoing post-natal care.

Transformation in Maternal Health

Prof. Josip Car from King's College London emphasized the importance of this research, noting that the integration of new technologies like AI and wearables is crucial for advancing both academic inquiry and practical health solutions. "We are excited to be collaborating with Garmin on this significant research to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies," he said.

The EMBRACE initiative is supported by Inkfish, a philanthropic organization that made a historic donation to aid maternal and child health research at King’s College. This funding enables advanced studies that hope to personalize healthcare interventions using both human and AI resources.

Looking Forward

As the EMBRACE program unfolds, Garmin aims to highlight the utility of its wearable devices not just in fitness tracking but as critical tools in medical research. This collaboration represents a significant milestone not only for Garmin but for healthcare providers interested in utilizing technology to foster healthier outcomes.

Garmin Health facilitates innovative digital health solutions through the Garmin Health Ecosystem, which consists of a wide range of products and integrated data services. With their Health API and SDKs, they provide real-time access to biometric data, adhering to specific privacy guidelines. This partnership exemplifies Garmin's commitment to innovating at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and user privacy.

For more updates on this groundbreaking collaboration, users can connect with Garmin Health's initiatives online.

In summary, the partnership between Garmin and King's College London signals a new era in healthcare research, where wearable technology and data analytics play a vital role in understanding and improving maternal and infant health worldwide.