Recently Apple has begun to give healthcare a central role. In an interview with E-Health-Com, Healthcare Director Dr. Sumbul Desai explained that this was by no means planned. For example, the photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, which can measure heart rate and detect atrial fibrillation, was originally developed to calculate calories for the Apple Watch. Only after positive feedback from numerous users was the sensor upgraded to an atrial fibrillation alarm and finally, the single-channel ECG function of the Apple Watch was further developed.
Following the successful Apple Heart Study, which successfully evaluated PPG screening for atrial fibrillation in 400,000 Apple Watch users, the company is aiming for three further studies. The Apple Women’s Health Study will use Apple Watch’s digital menstrual diary to predict menopause, pregnancy and infertility, as well as diseases such as osteoporosis. The second study (Apple Hearing Study) examines the effectiveness of certain user applications that can warn against extreme noise pollution. The Apple Heart & Movement Study is scheduled to last five years and examines the relationship between mobility and heart health. In particular, Apple intends to make users aware of heart health issues in the future and to support them in a healthier lifestyle, for example by providing notifications. A fourth study, the Heartline Study, is planned in cooperation with Johnson & Johnson and, as a continuation of the Apple Heart Study, will examine the possible benefits of atrial fibrillation alerts and gradual therapy.
In addition to the studies, Apple is working intensively on the electronic patient record, which is part of the Apple Health App. While, according to Desai, more than 450 institutions and 10,000 facilities in the USA are already participating in e-File projects, it is unclear whether Apple will soon apply for gematik certification in Germany as well. Apple plans to make its services available globally, but Desai did not mention any concrete plans. For Apple, however, it is fundamentally important that users have access to their health data and can use them freely. Apple attaches great importance to data protection, as this is a „human right“ according to Desai. For example, Apple cannot see any data, whether it is ECGs or the download of health-related apps. All data is encrypted and only stored on the user’s mobile device.
