Department of Medical History and Bioethics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Bioethics. 2024 Jul;38(6):481-490. doi: 10.1111/bioe.13157. Epub 2023 Mar 22.
Mobile Health (m-health) technologies, such as wearables, apps, and smartwatches, are increasingly viewed as tools for improving health and well-being. In particular, such technologies are conceptualized as means for laypersons to master their own health, by becoming "engaged" and "empowered" "managers" of their bodies and minds. One notion that is especially prevalent in the discussions around m-health technology is that of empowerment. In this paper, I analyze the notion of empowerment at play in the m-health arena, identifying five elements that are required for empowerment. These are (1) knowledge, (2) control, (3) responsibility, (4) the availability of good choices, and (5) healthy desires. I argue that at least sometimes, these features are not present in the use of these technologies. I then argue that instead of empowerment, it is plausible that m-health technology merely facilitates a feeling of empowerment. I suggest this may be problematic, as it risks placing the burden of health and behavior change solely on the shoulders of individuals who may not be in a position to affect such change.
移动健康（m-health）技术，如可穿戴设备、应用程序和智能手表，越来越被视为改善健康和幸福感的工具。特别是，这些技术被认为是让普通人通过成为自己身体和思维的“参与”和“授权”“管理者”来掌握自己健康的手段。在围绕移动健康技术的讨论中，一个特别流行的概念是赋权。在本文中，我分析了 m-health 领域中赋权概念，确定了赋权所需的五个要素。这些要素包括：（1）知识；（2）控制；（3）责任；（4）良好选择的可用性；（5）健康的欲望。我认为，至少在某些情况下，这些特征在这些技术的使用中并不存在。然后，我认为，移动健康技术不仅赋予了赋权感，而且很可能只是赋予了赋权感。我认为这可能是有问题的，因为它有可能将健康和行为改变的责任完全放在可能无法影响这种改变的个人身上。
