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Your Next Health Coach May Be...

...your car.  From Edmunds Inside Line:

"Ford cars and trucks may soon be able to tell you when to take a puff on your asthma inhaler or test your blood glucose level, as the Dearborn automaker is poised to take its Sync communications system far beyond infotainment.

"The Dearborn automaker offered a tantalizing — if somewhat disconcerting — look on Wednesday at the potential for a vehicle to be your partner and coach when it comes to health and wellness.

"Ford said it was intent on demonstrating a paradigm shift in the way its Sync communications system is used. In the not-too-distant future, a car could let you know the UV index so you could apply the proper amount of sunscreen, monitor your food choices at McDonald's, or check your calendar to see whether you'll be playing sports that day and may need an extra puff or two on your asthma inhaler.

'"We're not trying to turn the car into a medical device," said Alan Hall, a Ford spokesman in a phone conversation with Inside Line. "We're a conduit for healthcare to become mobile."'

As they roll out their own health coaching strategies, do physicians and hospitals see Ford as competition? Maybe they should. And I'll bet Ford gets there first. 

Actually, turning the car into a medical device is fine with me. I'd much rather deal with my mechanic than my HMO or some clinic's wretched appointment scheduling system.  My mechanic only charges an arm and ONE leg.
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