Navigator Glossary
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Across the many biomarkers and data points that we manage the age of users is important. We do not wish to know your specific date of birth but rather define the age group you belong to. Age ranges are used in medical and population research because they allow for more efficient analysis and interpretation of data, more meaningful comparisons, and more meaningful pattern identification, which also fits well with our efforts to maintain privacy.
The way this works with Navigator is that we ask you in your initial profile setup for your “birth month and year”. We then use that information to place you in your age group. Each year, on this anniversary, we check to see if that age fits your current group or if you need to be incremented to the next.
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Anthropometric data refers to measurements and characteristics of the human body, such as:
- Height: The vertical measurement of a person from head to toe.
- Weight: A person’s mass, often measured in kilograms or pounds.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Calculated from a person’s weight and height, BMI estimates whether an individual’s weight is healthy for their height.
- Waist Circumference: The measurement around the narrowest part of the waist.
- Hip Circumference: The measurement around the widest part of the hips. The waist-to-hip ratio can be calculated using waist and hip measurements to assess the distribution of body fat.
- Chest/Bust Circumference: The measurement around the chest for males and bust for females.
- Waist-to-Height Ratio: Calculated by dividing waist circumference by height.
- Body Fat Percentage: The proportion of a person’s weight that comes from fat.
- Shoulder Width: The distance between the acromion processes of the shoulders, often relevant in ergonomics and clothing design.
- Arm Length: The length of the arm, usually measured from the acromion process to the tip of the middle finger.
- Leg Length: The length of the leg, measured from the hip joint to the floor or from the knee joint to the floor.
- Foot Length and Width: Measurements of the foot, are important for footwear design and fitting.
- Hand Length and Width: Measurements of the hand.
- Head Circumference: The measurement around the widest part of the head, often used in medical and developmental assessments.
- Neck Circumference: The measurement around the neck.
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Artificial intelligence is computer systems developed to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.
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Biomarkers are measurable indicators of a biological state or condition. They can be used to detect or monitor diseases, predict treatment responses, or assess the progression of a condition.
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Biotechnology is based on biology, usually intended to improve human health and society.
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Pollution, toxins, and exposure to certain chemicals can also contribute to the development of chronic diseases and conditions. These continue to be health determinants but we have added others that are directly related to climate change – local UV Index, daily temperatures and humidity and reported air quality – particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)
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Refers to the inherited genes that a person has from their parents and can influence the risk of developing certain chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. For example, if an individual’s parents or grandparents have a history of heart disease, the individual may be at a higher risk for developing heart disease themselves.
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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 is a U.S. federal law designed to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ health information.
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HL7 – for messaging/transfer of clinical data
FHIR – replacement for HL7 to provide better patient data interchange
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Internet of things are tools that allow electronic devices to ‘speak’ with one another.
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Diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, also play a significant role in long-term health. For example, a diet high in saturated and trans fats, sugar, and salt can increase the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, while regular physical activity, healthy eating, and not smoking can reduce the risk of these conditions.
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Machine learning is a field of study that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. There are two main ML tasks: classification and regression. Classification involves using a ML model to ‘classify’ some data according to a finite set of categories; for example, classifying the type of cancer found in a pathology report: breast, lung, etc. The simplest case being a binary classification – yes/no, true/false, cancer/not cancer, etc. Regression, in contrast, uses a ML model to predict a continuous value rather than a category. For example, predicting length of stay for a patient given their condition.
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A marker refers to a specific biological or biochemical indicator that is used to detect or measure the presence or severity of a disease or condition. Markers are often used as diagnostic tools or indicators of disease progression, response to treatment, or prognosis. Examples of markers include specific proteins, hormones, genetic mutations, or imaging findings associated with a particular disease or condition.
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Natural language processing uses computational techniques to analyse and synthesise natural language and speech.
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Phenotypes are the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which result from the interaction of its genetic makeup (genotype) with the environment.
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Physiological data refers to information collected from the body to monitor various physiological processes, functions, and responses. It involves the measurement and analysis of different physical parameters that can provide insights into an individual’s health, well-being, and bodily functions. Physiological data can be obtained through various methods and devices, such as sensors, monitors, or medical instruments. Some common types of physiological data include:
- Heart Rate: The measurement of the number of times the heart beats per minute (BPM), which provides information about cardiovascular health, exertion levels, and stress responses.
- Blood Pressure: The measurement of the force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels, indicating cardiovascular health and potential risk factors for conditions like hypertension.
- Body Temperature: The measurement of the body’s internal temperature, which can indicate fever, inflammation, or other physiological changes.
- Respiration Rate: The measurement of the number of breaths per minute, providing insights into respiratory function and potential respiratory disorders.
- Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG): The recording and analysis of the electrical activity of the heart, used to assess heart rhythm, detect abnormalities, and diagnose cardiac conditions.
- Electroencephalography (EEG): The recording of electrical brain activity through electrodes placed on the scalp, providing information about brain function, sleep patterns, and potential neurological disorders.
- Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)/Electrodermal Activity (EDA): The measurement of changes in skin conductance or sweat gland activity, often used as an indicator of emotional arousal or stress levels.
- Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2): The measurement of the percentage of oxygen-saturated hemoglobin in the blood, indicating respiratory function and oxygenation levels.
- Movement and Activity: Monitoring physical activity, steps taken, distance traveled, or body position, which can be useful for assessing fitness levels, sleep patterns, and overall mobility.
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Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may act as biological markers, as they can relate to the genes that are associated with various complex diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, cancer, schizophrenia, blood pressure, migraine, and Alzheimer
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An ontology for medical knowledge representation
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Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) was developed to provide complete anonymity when using Navigator products. It replaces specific identity data commonly requested in applications and provides the basis for total identity protection. The Future Wellness Group has developed it as a primary component within the Anonymous Software Engineering format. It is HIPPA-compliant.
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A variable is any characteristic, number, or quantity that can be measured, observed, or controlled and can vary among individuals. For example in the case of blood pressure, it is a variable because it can fluctuate over time and vary among different individuals based on factors such as age, gender, health status, and lifestyle factors.