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An Apple check a day, could keep the doctor away

New mobile software could change the way patients keep track of their health, and instantly report abnormalities to their doctors.

Apple healthkit (Apple)
Apple healthkit (Apple)

2 min read

Published

Updated

By Julia Calixto


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Apple has reportedly been in discussion with a wide range of health care providers in the United States about new software that will let consumers track health-related data.

Unveiled in June, Apple's "Healthkit" is meant to be an application for tracking users' health data.

Mount Sinai, the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins, as well as US medical records providers Allscripts and Epic Systems are believed to be part of Apples consultation process.

Some features of Healthkit include the ability to let patients check their blood pressure, pulse and weight and notify their doctors if there are abnormal readings.

Health has become a big focus area for tech companies across the sector. Samsung and Jawbone have also introduced health-centric software for its users.

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Health data is currently collected by thousands of third-party health care software applications and medical devices, but not centrally stored.

Tech companies hope to develop systems that will allow physicians to use their patients health data to better montior clients between visits so doctors can make better diagnostic and treatment decisions.

But some implementations may be a challenge due to a web of privacy and regulatory requirements and many decades-old IT systems.

HealthKit is expected to be incorporated in the iPhone 6 which is due to be released in September.

Apple is also rumored to unveil the "iWatch", the company's first smartwatch, with the iPhone 6. The sensors in the iPhone 6 and iWatch could allow for seamless integration for health data when combined with HealthKit.


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