India : The World Health Organization (WHO) has invited governments, healthcare professionals, researchers, technology developers and other stakeholders to provide feedback on proposed standards for wearable devices that could help monitor physical activity and sedentary behaviour across populations.
The initiative, announced on November 8, seeks to establish a common framework for using wrist-worn wearable technologies in national and subnational public health monitoring systems. The organisation has developed a draft Target Product Profile (TPP), outlining the technical specifications and operational requirements that such devices should meet to support reliable health surveillance.
The consultation process will remain open from November 8 to December 6, 2026, giving interested individuals and organisations an opportunity to review the proposed framework and submit recommendations before it is finalised.
The WHO initiative comes amid increasing recognition of physical inactivity and prolonged sedentary behaviour as major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and poor mental health. Regular physical activity plays an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health, supporting metabolic functions and reducing the risk of several chronic conditions.
Despite growing awareness about the importance of exercise and movement, measuring activity levels across entire populations remains a challenge for public health authorities. Traditional surveillance methods often depend on questionnaires, interviews and self-reported information, which may not always provide consistent or objective measurements.
Wearable devices could offer an additional method of collecting information by recording movement-related data over a period of time. When used appropriately, such technologies may help health authorities understand activity patterns and identify differences between population groups.
However, the WHO noted that the integration of wearable technologies into routine public health monitoring remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Differences in technical infrastructure, financial resources, device availability and data management capabilities can create difficulties for countries seeking to introduce large-scale monitoring programmes.
To address these challenges, the draft Target Product Profile establishes minimum and enhanced specifications for wrist-worn devices intended for population level surveillance. The proposed framework is designed to identify the features required for devices to be suitable for public health applications across different geographical and economic settings.
The document goes beyond technical characteristics and considers the broader requirements necessary for effective implementation. These include data accessibility, operational deployment, scalability and long-term sustainability of wearable-based monitoring programmes.
The WHO wants the proposed standards to help countries select devices that can generate useful and comparable information without creating unnecessary barriers for health systems with limited resources.
An important objective is to improve the consistency of data collected through different wearable technologies. Devices may vary in their measurement capabilities, technical specifications and methods of recording movement. Without common requirements, information generated through different programmes may be difficult to compare.
A standardised approach could help public health authorities assess physical activity trends more systematically and use the resulting information to support policy development and health promotion strategies.
The organisation is particularly interested in understanding whether the proposed requirements are technically appropriate, practical and affordable for countries with varying levels of healthcare infrastructure.
As part of the consultation, the WHO has invited feedback on several aspects of the draft framework. These include the strategic need for a common product profile, its intended scope, minimum device specifications and additional enhanced features.
Stakeholders have also been encouraged to identify possible implementation challenges associated with introducing wearable devices into population health monitoring systems.
The consultation will further examine what type of technical assistance, analytical resources and implementation guidance countries may require to adopt these technologies effectively.
The WHO has opened the consultation to a wide range of participants, including national and subnational health authorities, public health institutes, national statistical offices and managers responsible for disease and health surveillance programmes.
Researchers working on physical activity measurement, manufacturers of wearable devices, software developers, standards organisations, regulatory agencies and development partners are also encouraged to contribute.
Civil society organisations and other groups involved in public health policy and implementation have been invited to share their perspectives. The organisation has specifically encouraged participation from low- and middle-income countries to ensure that the final framework considers the realities of different healthcare systems.
Their participation is considered important because technologies developed primarily for well-resourced markets may not always be suitable for countries facing financial and infrastructure limitations.
For instance, the cost of devices, access to digital infrastructure, availability of technical support and capacity to manage large volumes of health-related data could influence the success of such programmes.
The proposed framework therefore seeks to consider not only what wearable devices should be capable of measuring but also how countries can realistically introduce and maintain them within existing public health systems.
The WHO said the feedback received during the consultation would be used to revise and finalise the Target Product Profile and inform the subsequent consensus process. Responses would also help identify priorities for future implementation guidance, analytical tools and technical support.
The consultation is part of broader efforts to strengthen the evidence available to policymakers when developing strategies to address physical inactivity and related health concerns.
Noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and certain cancers, place a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Promoting regular movement and reducing prolonged sitting are important components of prevention strategies aimed at reducing these risks.
Population-level information can help governments understand where interventions may be needed and evaluate whether existing programmes are reaching different sections of society.
Nevertheless, wearable technology is intended to complement existing surveillance methods rather than automatically replace established public health data collection systems. Its usefulness will depend on the quality of measurements, appropriate implementation and the ability of health authorities to interpret the information responsibly.
Questions surrounding data access, privacy, technical reliability and equitable participation will also remain important considerations as countries explore the adoption of digital monitoring tools.
The WHO’s proposed framework could provide a foundation for more consistent use of wearable technology in public health research and surveillance if the final specifications prove practical across different settings.
The consultation closes on December 6, 2026, at 12 noon UTC. The organisation has encouraged relevant stakeholders to submit their views through the consultation survey before the deadline.
The final recommendations are expected to help clarify the role of wrist-worn devices in collecting population-level information and support countries seeking more reliable ways to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Through the initiative, the WHO aims to encourage a more coordinated approach to digital health monitoring, ensuring that technological developments can contribute meaningfully to public health planning and disease prevention.
