Apple has launched a new health study, the Apple Health Study, designed to investigate how technology can contribute to a deeper understanding of physical, mental, and overall wellbeing. Conducted in partnership with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, the study will leverage data from iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods to explore the complex relationships between various aspects of health.
“We are just beginning to understand the potential of technology to improve our understanding of human health,” says Dr. Calum MacRae, cardiologist, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and principal investigator of the Apple Health Study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “This study will explore the interconnectedness of different health areas using technology that people use daily.”
The Apple Health Study builds on the foundation laid by previous Apple health research initiatives, including the Apple Women’s Health Study, the Apple Hearing Study, and the Apple Heart and Movement Study. These studies have collectively engaged over 350,000 participants in the U.S., demonstrating the power of large-scale, technology-driven research.
This new longitudinal, virtual study aims to uncover how data from Apple and third-party devices can be utilized to predict, detect, monitor, and manage health changes. Researchers will examine connections across a wide range of health domains, including activity levels, aging, cardiovascular and circulatory health, cognitive function, hearing, menstrual health, mental wellbeing, metabolic health, mobility, neurological health, respiratory health, and sleep patterns.
“Research and validation are integral to our health-focused work, informing the innovative features we offer across our devices,” says Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of Health. “The insights gained from the Research app have enabled us to introduce new tools like the Vitals app on Apple Watch and Walking Steadiness on iPhone, and to shed light on previously undervalued areas of health, such as menstrual and hearing health. The Apple Health Study will further advance our understanding of how technology impacts the human body, both physically and mentally.”
The study is designed to identify subtle changes in health and explore how technology can assist in recognizing these changes earlier, potentially leading to more proactive health management. For instance, the early detection of changes in hearing health could play a role in reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
The Apple Health Study is currently open to enrollment for participants in the U.S. who meet specific age requirements and complete the informed consent process through the Research app.
The Research app facilitates medical research by connecting academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and Apple users. Participation is voluntary, with users choosing which data they wish to share and having the option to withdraw from the study at any time. Apple does not have access to identifying information provided by participants.
The Apple Health Study is accessible through version 6.0 of the Research app on iPhone models compatible with iOS 16 or later.
