Written By: Dr Reshma Nayak | Updated : June 3, 2014 10:37 AM IST
The usage for health wearables and tracking is on the rise. There are apps for everything from how many steps you've taken, how many hours you've slept to how many calories you've eaten. However, you always wished there was something which seamlessly combined all this data and made it actionable. Didn't you?
Apple, along with the unveiling of iOS 8, also showcased HealthKit, a new service which promises to change the way data related to your health is used. "We believe Apple's HealthKit will revolutionize how the health industry interacts with people," said John Noseworthy, M.D., Mayo Clinic president and CEO. "We are proud to be at the forefront of this innovative technology with the Mayo Clinic app."
At this stage, you should know that Microsoft launched a similar service and app called Healthvault in 2012. And they've not met with too much success.
What does Apple's Healthkit promise to do?
This service pushes quantifying yourself to the next level and ties steps taken and hours slept to real, actionable medical data.
It works with third-party apps such as Nike's suite of apps and its FuelBand wearable. If you thought that is all, it goes one step further and makes it easy for you to share the data with your doctor. As the first step, Apple is collaborating with Mayoclinic for the same.
The idea is that the results of a blood pressure test would show up within HealthKit and that healthcare professionals would be able to see that data and recognize if there is a potential healthcare issue and maybe even contact the patient.
Is it really something new and revolutionary?
After Google shutting down its Google Health portal and Microsoft Healthvault not being very successful, will HealthKit work? Healthvault has been in the picture since 2012 offering all the services which Apple's Healthkit now seems to be offering. Healthvault not only helps you store all your data including that on prescriptions, it also helps you sync with other devices like weighing scales, BP monitors, blood sugar monitors and wearables like Fitbit. More about it here. What's funny is that Healthvault is even available on the iOS platform from a long time!
Has the consumer come of age when it comes to his health?
Though companies have been competing to launch different products related to data in health, the outlook hasn't been very promising. Is data really what people want? Do they have the requisite motivation to utilize the data, make sense of it and translate that into action? Only time will tell!
With inputs from AFP Relaxnews
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