Several important societal and economic world problems can be addressed by the smart use of technology. The past 40 years have witnessed the realization of computational systems and networks, rooted in our ability to craft complex integrated circuits out of billions of electronic devices. Nowadays, the ability to master materials at the molecular level and their interaction with living matter opens up unforeseeable horizons. Networking biological sensors through body-area, ad hoc and standard communication networks boosts the intrinsic power of local measurements, and allows us to reach new standards in health management. The Swiss Nano-Tera program addresses applications of nanotechnologies to health management, and it has been instrumental in fostering research and innovation in this domain.