A steady stream of new apps and devices that can be synced to ever-more sophisticated mobile phones is flowing into consumers’ hands, and this technology is revolutionizing the practice of self-tracking, in which individuals measure and collect personal data to improve their heath.

UCSF and its affiliates have been major players in the transformation of San Francisco as a leading center of innovation in health care and biosciences, according to a new report released Wednesday.

A new documentary, “Escape Fire,” examines a broken US health care system that’s “designed for quick fixes rather than prevention.” The film also highlights pioneering efforts to transform the system and bring effective, low-cost solutions to the public, including interviews with UCSF researchers Dean Ornish, Elizabeth Blackburn and Peter Carroll.

UCSF graduate Eric Coleman, MPH, MD, is one of 23 recipients of the 2012 MacArthur Foundation fellowships, one of the nation’s highest honors for individuals “selected for their creativity, originality, and potential to make important contributions in the future.”