There are any number of statistics that one can point to telling us we in serious trouble. From the epidemic that is obesity to the persistent climb in diabetes cases and let us not forget Alzheimer’s, a disease that cripples many an elderly adult and is projected to rise to some 16 million cases in the US as baby boomers age and fall victim.

The future will be extremely challenging for both those suffering with these diseases as well as the caregivers who look after them. Numerous tools and platforms are being developed to help assist one in managing their or a loved one’s care, but they tend to be islands unto themselves. Personal Health Systems (PHS), such as Dossia, Google Health, HealthVault and maybe even RevolutionHealth and WebMD have the potential to provide an integrated service, but we’re still several years away from that becoming a reality.

While I do research and write on the the topic of consumer-centric healthcare technology and the desperate need to change perspectives from one that is patient-centric to one that is consumer-centric, there are others who search for the keys to health, such as genetic markers for Alzheimer’s to help us avoid falling victim to such diseases in the first place.

In the brief clip from a local cable network, Alzheimer’s research at Mass General Hospital is highlighted. Proud to point out that my son, who recently started working in this lab, makes a cameo appearance (he’s the one behind the scope).