Apple Includes Comprehensive Health Platform In iOS8

As expected, Apple announced a major health platform in its new iOS8 mobile operating system at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.

The company's Health app and HealthKit API platform include partnerships with Nike and Mayo Clinic, which Apple says will facilitate integration of personal health information across applications and among healthcare providers of a consumer's choosing.

"The new Health app gathers the information you choose from your various health apps and fitness devices, and provides you with a clear and current overview in one place," Apple said in announcing the new platform. "iOS 8 offers developers the ability for health and fitness apps to communicate with each other. With your permission, each app can use specific information from other apps to provide a more comprehensive way to manage your health and fitness. For example, the Nike+ apps using NikeFuel will be able to pull in other key HealthKit metrics such as sleep and nutrition to build a custom user profile and improve athletic performance."

Also integrating with HealthKit, Mayo Clinic patients and consumers will be able to more easily access personalized health information, guidance and care when they need it. Mayo Clinic patients will continue to securely access their patient information and services, but in the future, they will increasingly be able to organize and act on their health and wellness data in a more seamless manner. Users will be able to monitor various HealthKit parameters through a dashboard which highlights trends and flags values that may need attention.

“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.”