RFK Jr. Wants Every American Wearing Smartwatches by 2028 to Improve Health

RFK Jr. wants to see a smartwatch on every American wrist.

Speaking at a recent congressional hearing, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), revealed his plan to revolutionize public health through wearable technology. “Within four years, I envision every American wearing a health-monitoring device,” he said, catching the attention of tech giants like Apple, Google, and Samsung.

This initiative is part of one of the largest public health campaigns in HHS history, launching next week. The focus? Encouraging Americans to adopt wearable tech like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch to take charge of their personal health data and lifestyle choices.

Kennedy cited anecdotal success stories, noting that some of his friends were able to manage or even reverse type 2 diabetes after using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). These devices helped them understand how their diets affected their blood sugar, leading to healthier habits. While not a miracle cure, CGMs can motivate lifestyle changes that significantly benefit those with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is largely lifestyle-related, caused by the body’s resistance to insulin or insufficient insulin production. In contrast, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Apple and Samsung are in a race to develop non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for their smartwatches. This would eliminate the need for pricking the skin to draw blood. Although no device has been FDA-approved yet, rumors suggest Apple could introduce such a feature by 2027 with the Apple Watch Series 13.

Apple is also working on blood pressure monitoring, but the first versions may not give full readings. Instead, they’ll alert users if their blood pressure reaches potentially dangerous levels, similar to how heart rate alerts currently function.

Kennedy compared the affordability of wearables to popular but costly medications like Ozempic, which can exceed $1,000 per month and come with numerous side effects. In contrast, a smartwatch that aids in health tracking might cost around $80 monthly, making it a more accessible tool for preventative care.