Genomics and Personalized Shoes

A product of one is something that is starting to become a reality.  You have been able to get clothes tailored to your specific body shape for years, but only at the high end locations or overseas.  You are now starting to see mass customization of shoes, jeans, and other items.

At the same time, we have the whole field of genomics which could lead to personalized prescriptions that are customized to your specific condition, genes, and other parameters.

So, with all of this technology available, why can’t we get mass produced health benefits that are customized to the individual and based on their income, family history, personal medical situation, etc.  It would seem possible to say to someone that based on their medical history and family history they are likely to spend $X the following year.  In addition, people of their similar age and geography have a Y probability of getting injured.  Therefore, based on their family and economic status, this is the right plan to minimize their out-of-pocket dollars while managing their probability of a catastrophic health event.

I am sure there is a reason, but I would love to see someone try.  Just a thought.  I saw an advertisement this morning about personalized shoes and began to wonder why we can’t personalize people’s health benefits.   And, I don’t mean simply the ability to buy a pre-defined healthcare plan as an individual, but the ability to provide inputs which custom designs a plan for you using some predictive intelligence.