# Overdose-Preventing Wearables The 'HopeBand' Keeps an Eye Out for Opioid Overdoses By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2018-12-29 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hopeband References: [slashgear](https://www.slashgear.com/hopeband-opioid-overdose-wearable-us-health-epidemic-research-28559465/) The 'HopeBand' has been developed by a group of students at [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corned-beef-pastrami-duo) as a wearable that could help to curb the number of opioid-related overdoses that are occurring across the US. The device works by being worn on your wrist and constantly [monitoring your blood oxygen levels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alveos-one); if a low level is detected, the unit will continue taking readings every 10 seconds. If the wearer doesn't improve, the device will sound alarm, start flashing lights and send out a text message to an emergency contact with their location to get assistance as soon as possible. The 'HopeBand' is positioned by its developers to be first available for free via [needle exchange programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mobile-harm-reduction) with a commercial version costing between $16 and $20 hopefully coming in the future. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Opioid Overdose Prevention:** Develop new wearables and monitoring devices to prevent opioid-related overdoses. - **Continuous Health Monitoring:** Create wearable devices that continuously monitor vital signs to detect and alert potential health risks. - **Emergency Notification Systems:** Develop technologies that automatically notify emergency contacts in case of a health emergency. ### Who This Affects Most - **Healthcare:** Opportunity to innovate and develop wearable devices for preventing opioid overdoses and monitoring overall health. - **Technology:** Opportunity to create advanced wearable technologies that can monitor vital signs and send emergency notifications. - **Pharmaceutical:** Opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to collaborate and develop novel solutions for opioid overdose prevention. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Portable Painkilling Drug Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drug-tracker.md) - [Alcohol-Monitoring Bracelets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alcoholmonitoring-bracelet.md) - [Addiction Support Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pretaa.md) - [Subtle Ultra-Advanced Health Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whoop-50.md) - [Wearable Monitoring Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tband.md) - [Breathing Exercise Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breathing-wearable.md) - [Health-Tracking Swimmer Bracelets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soswim-safety-bracelet.md) - [OTC Oxygen Saturation Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masimo-w1-medical-watch.md) - [Empowering Anemia Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dip-wearable.md)