Health (Apple)

Health is a mobile app from the technology group Apple that collects health-related data and presents it to the user. The app was presented in June 2014 at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco and is available from the operating system version iOS 8 . At the same time, Apple also released the HealthKit, a programming interface that enables developers to program apps with interactions with the Health app.

The app can record some health-related data itself - for example the number of steps taken - or access numbers from other applications or devices. The data gathered in this way is divided into four categories: activity, mindfulness, sleep and diet. The main focus is on the development, i.e. the change in the health data provided over a certain period of time.

Health is available on the iPhone , newer iPad versions and the iPod Touch .

Updates

In September 2015, the Health App was expanded to include additional functions with the update to iOS 9 . In particular, the field of reproductive medicine is now also included. The target group here are, among other things, couples who want to have a child. Information about menstruation, sexual activity or ovulation test results can be entered.

Since July 2016, it has been possible in the USA to register as an organ or tissue donor via the health app. The iOS 10 software version is required for this.

With the update to iOS 11.3, the "Health entries" section was added to the Health app. This allows patients from around 40 institutions in the health sector to view their patient files from their Iphone. The aim is a clear presentation in order to be able to provide doctors or therapists with the most important data quickly without having to rely on collecting documents in paper form.

reception

The app was received rather skeptically at the beginning - also due to technical inadequacies. While privacy advocates continue to observe the app critically, medical professionals are now mostly positive about aspects of the app.

Right at the beginning, Apple had to remove all applications that were compatible with the HealthKit from the shop due to a bug that affected the functionality of the Touch ID , among other things . That made developers upset. The HealthKit was re-released in September 2014 with software version iOS 8.0.2.

Another point of criticism was the lack of availability of compatible applications and other third-party products. However, there are now a large number of compatible products, from fitness wristbands to devices for sleep optimization.

The link to the ResearchKit is received mostly positively. Users can give their consent that their health data may be used for medical research in anonymous form as part of the ResearchKit . Around 100,000 people have taken part so far. Research projects on asthma , Parkinson's and diabetes mellitus have already been supported.

In particular, the health records function is viewed from the point of view of data protection, as very sensitive information is processed. Apple points out that all data processed here is encrypted and stored with a password. Nevertheless, the Federal Data Protection Commissioner in Germany, for example, advises against the use of health apps.

The main positive feedback Apple received was the addition of reproductive medicine. This was seen as a step towards the recognition of women's health and hygiene. Apple is the first of the major technology groups to include this medical sector in its app.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Apple releases iOS 8.0.2 to address cellular and Touch ID issues in previous update . In: 9to5Mac . September 26, 2014 ( 9to5mac.com [accessed June 11, 2018]).
2. ↑ List of Healthkit Compatible Devices - ismartliving.net . In: iSmartLiving.net . ( ismartliving.net [accessed June 11, 2018]).
3. ↑ Kai-Hinrich Renner: Apple is adding new functions to its health app . ( Morgenpost.de [accessed June 11, 2018]).
4. ↑ Ashley Gold: Would you tell Apple you've had sex? In: BBC News . October 18, 2015 ( bbc.com [accessed June 11, 2018]).